About Ba Town Council
Ba was settled in 1864 and in 1886 the Rarawai Sugar Mill was established. After the establishment of the Sugar Mill, Ba began to grow and in the year 1905, Ba Rural Local Authority was established under the Public Health Ordinance which administered the district of Ba on various matters. The urbanized area of Varoka was proclaimed as Township under the Township Ordinance in 1939.
From 1939 to 1966, the Town of Ba was administered by the Ba Township Board and were led by a Chairman. In the year 1966, the Chairperson was elected with a 15 member council to administer the four wards of Ba( Central, Varandoli, Yalalevu, Namosau). One more ward was added in the year 1969 which was known as the Rarawai ward. In June of the year 1972, the Local Government Act was enacted and Ba was elevated to Town status, and the Chairman was replaced as a Mayor. From 1972 to 2009 there were numerous Mayors who with the council members, managed the five wards of Ba. However, in 2009 after the term for councilors expired, Council election was not held, instead Special Administrator was appointed to administer the running of the council.
Ba Town Council falls in the medium range Councils in Fiji, however Ba Province is the largest province in the Fiji Group covering 2,634 square kilometers and the 2017 census in Fiji recorded the population of Ba Province of about 247,708.
Ba Town covers an area of 327 square kilometers and has a population of 15,846 as of last census in Fiji. The towns current growth is expected to continue with more informal settlements and extended town boundaries becoming rateable properties. There are more subdivisions lined up which will grow the town boundary and increase the coverage.
