Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Department of Lands, Physical Planning, Environment, Conservation and Climate Change (DLPPECCC) recently conducted a Valuation Rolls workshop for Bougainville Valuation Rolls stakeholders in Buka. The workshop was conducted ahead of the official handover of Bougainville Valuation Rolls to the Autonomous Bougainville Government on Thursday, 07th August 2025, with participation from the ABG Department of Lands, Urban Town Councils of Buka, Arawa, and Buin, regional business associations, Bougainville Police Service, and the National Lands Department. Speaking at the opening of the workshop was the Secretary of the Department, Ms. Lynette Baratai-Pokas, who explained that the Valuation Roll strengthens broader land administration functions, including setting land rentals, guiding zoning and planning, resolving disputes, attracting fair investment, and ensuring transparency in land dealings. “These valuation rolls will set the basis for us on how we are going to go forward in setting up land rates and taxes in the future,” she said. “Your participation in attending this workshop is a testament to your commitment as a whole to support this department and its other stakeholders on how we can progress accountability and governance in the space of Land management and land development.” Bougainville will be the first region in PNG to receive not one, but four valuation rolls for the four townships of Buka, Buin, Arawa, Kieta, and Toniva. These valuation rolls will assist in:

• Urban Planning & Zoning – helping to guide development decisions in towns like Buka, Arawa, and Buin.
• Land Rentals & Revenue – providing valuation data that will be used to set fair land rental rates and support budgeting.
• Dispute Resolution – providing accurate valuations that will help resolve land ownership and usage disputes.
•  Investment and Transparency - attracting responsible investment by ensuring land dealings are transparent.

Participants who were at the workshop expressed their gratitude at being invited to attend the workshop and stressed that there was a mammoth task for all participants and stakeholders to work together with the department to understand the valuation rolls, the vital role it plays in generating revenue for the townships, and how to set the land rates and land rentals.