By Katalina Siasau
Tonga's new multi-million Parliament complex will be built on the Lakalakaimonu Estate within the Tufumahina Royal Estate in Pea, Tongatapu, and is set to be completed in 2027, a stakeholder consultation for the Environmental Impact Assessment was told last week.
The approved budget for the project currently stands at NZD $32 million, jointly funded by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand. The construction work is expected to begin in September, with the name of the successful contractor yet to be announced.
Seven years ago, Tropical Cyclone Gita destroyed Tonga's 125 year old Parliament House that had housed the Legislature in Nuku'alofa, since the year 1892. Proceedings were relocated to the Tonga National Centre.
Plans to build a new Parliament House on the Nuku'alofa waterfront site were changed, after the 2022 HTHH volcanic eruption and tsunami flooded the area.
The plans were transferred to a new site, secured on Royal lands at Pea.
Environmental impact assessment
A stakeholder consultation for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed new Fale Alea building was held on 13 March at the Tanoa Hotel in Nuku’alofa.
Presentations on environmental and social impacts of the Parliament building were delivered by planners from the Tonkin and Taylor Group from New Zealand, Sarah Heritage and Sarah McCarter.
This marks the second EIA survey conducted by Tonkin and Taylor for the new Parliament building.
Project coordinator, Dr. Faka'iloatonga Taumoefolau, presented the design layout of the new building.
The consultation gathered feedback on several key issues, including traffic concerns, potential impacts on the lagoon, noise pollution, and impacts on adjacent Royal land.
Climate resilience
The previous waterfront location in Nuku'alofa exposed the Parliament to natural disasters, such as cyclones and potential sea-level rise, whereas the new 6 acre site at Pea offers elevated terrain, providing better protection against these environmental hazards.
For tropical cyclones, the building was designed to account for 1% AEP storm events, and to withstand wind force of category 5.
New Parliament complex
The new Parliament complex will offer 84 car park spaces on the larger 6 acre site. The Parliament building will include meeting rooms, a media space, a throne room for the King and Royal Family to use during the opening and closing of Parliament, a library, a kitchen, and seven bathrooms, among other features.
The building will showcase Tongan designs. Dr. Taumoefolau anticipated the new building to stand for 100 years, with “maintenance likely needed after 30 to 40 years”
He said the contractor has been selected but had not been publicly announced.
