Revamping Nusa Penida: Bali Plans Island Overhaul for Tourism Boost

TheIndonesia.co - The Bali Provincial Government has assembled a dedicated team to assess and design a comprehensive master plan for Nusa Penida, a district in Klungkung Regency with growing potential as a premier tourist destination.

According to Antara News Agency, speaking in Denpasar on Friday, Head of Bali’s Department of Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing, and Settlement Areas (PUPRKIM), Nusakti Yasa Wedha, said the team, appointed by Governor Wayan Koster, will focus on strategic development — starting with the construction of a ring road around the island.

“This idea has been around for a while — to build a ring road in Nusa Penida,” said Nusakti.

To lead the planning and assessment process, the provincial government has enlisted Udayana University. The team will begin by drafting detailed development plans, building on initial designs that are already in place.

“The ring road plan is roughly 30 kilometers long and a design already exists,” he added.

In addition to the road infrastructure, the team will work on comprehensive spatial planning, which includes resolving long-standing issues such as clean water supply — another key challenge on the island.

Nusakti added that the goal is twofold: to support tourism development and to improve the living conditions of local residents across the island, located just southeast of mainland Bali.

While specific funding details have not yet been disclosed, Nusakti noted that financing will involve a shared contribution from the national government, Bali’s provincial budget (APBD), and local city or regency administrations.

Governor Wayan Koster emphasized his choice of Udayana University for this task, citing the importance of a well-structured, academic approach to Nusa Penida’s development.

“At the moment, development is chaotic — there’s no consistent concept. That’s why I’ve asked Udayana University to handle the design,” he explained.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by Governor Koster, who recently established 47 teams tasked with developing different regions of Bali. Each team is responsible for drafting initial concept proposals and coordinating with relevant stakeholders.

“They can recommend forming regional regulations, gubernatorial decrees, circular letters, or other policy tools,” Koster said.

“But the first draft of their working documents must be ready no later than May 9, 2025.”