Natural Habitats’ initial assignment in the building of Denarau was to landscape the golf course; itself a massive undertaking involving the shifting of more than 3500 mature palms, the supply of tens of thousands of shrubs and the propagation of almost 100 hectares of specialized couch grasses.
At the time, the landscape project was unlike anything Fiji, or indeed the South Pacific, had seen in terms of scale or the expected delivery programme. Fletcher South Pacific required subcontractors they could
trust to deliver with minimal risk.
Natural Habitats responded by deploying a skilled management team who formed the nucleus of a carefully co-ordinated workforce that peaked at over 200 local men. There was also an off-site support team of many more sub contractors, growers and suppliers that had not existed until the needs of the Denarau project required them.
As the project developed, Natural Habitats role deepened to include detailed working drawings, design of planting and documentation of the as-built landscape. Natural Habitats completed and handed over the golf course and landscape on time and to budget.
The result, now 20+ years old, is a testament to the entire project team, notably Fletchers, Vuksich & Borich and Natural Habitats. Natural Habitats also left a legacy of skilled gardeners who have been able to translate their jobs and training with us into long term productive careers.
