The Cities Act of 1971 that determines the declaration of a city, is outdated.
Dr Fiona Hukula, a Commissioner of the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission, said this while leading an inter-government department team consultation in New Ireland Province, on the Review of Laws on City Planning and Urban Development.
Under the Cities act 1971, the current requirement for a city under the act includes a population exceeding 15,000, and unimproved land valued at K10 million.
At the inter-government department team consultation on the Review of Laws on City Planning and Urban Development, Dr Hukula said useful and fruitful discussions were had, and all that will be incorporated into the larger report in preparation for presentation to the Minster, for tabling in parliament at the end of the year.
She said the relevance of the cities and the criteria for establishing cities was one of the ten key issues on which views were sought.
Other issues discussed included duplication and inconsistencies in the roles of DDAs and City Authorities under the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government, the informal sector development control act 2004, the relationship between Land Board and Physical Planning Board, legislations for city planning and management, land scarcity, accessibility and management, and local participation in city development.
New Ireland Provincial Administrator, Lamillar Pawut, welcomed the review and consultation in the province, saying it was timely for proper planning and management in urban areas of the provinces, to align with the modern needs for development and accepted standards.
Simultaneous consultations were held in Kokopo, Lae and Wewak.
Consultations are yet to be conducted for Mt Hagen, Goroka, Alotau and NCD.
Consultation started following the launch of the issues paper on ‘Terms of Reference 9: Review of Review of Laws on City Planning and Urban Development’ last month.