Kingston Pier Channel Construction Project

The Department is delivering the Norfolk Island Kingston Pier Channel Construction Project (the Project) to improve maritime safety and access at Kingston Pier, while respecting the area’s environmental and heritage values.

Kingston Pier is a critical piece of infrastructure for Norfolk Island, supporting cargo operations, emergency services, fishing activities and passenger transfers. The existing navigation channel leading to the pier has limited depth and manoeuvring space at lower tides, which can restrict access and pose safety risks for vessel operators. The pier structure also requires maintenance to ensure it remains safe and fit for purpose.

The rock revetment wall to the west requires repair and an extension to respond to the expected changed wave action due to the deeper channel and this is planned to occur prior to the dredging and pier repair work.

Project objectives

The key objectives of the Project are to:

  • improve maritime safety by providing a deeper and wider navigation channel for commercial and recreational vessels
  • increase the availability of Kingston Pier for berthing by providing a safer approach for vessels
  • ensure the Project is consistent with the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area Heritage Management Plan
  • consider and minimise environmental, social and economic impacts
  • keep the community and stakeholders informed and involved in key decisions
  • allow for potential future access by larger vessels

Community involvement

The Norfolk Island community has played an important role in the development of the Project. Community feedback has informed the design and helped shape the final approach to improve safety and functionality while protecting the local environment and heritage values.

Project scope

The Project involves:

  • deepening the navigation channel to approximately 3.2 metres below mean sea level
  • widening the navigation channel and vessel turning area to improve manoeuvring
  • dredging approximately 4,700 cubic metres of material
  • transporting dredged material to Cascade Quarry for beneficial reuse as part of quarry restoration works
  • screening dredged material for archaeological artefacts
  • minor remediation works to the pier, including repairs to steel sheet piling and replacement of timber fenders
  • additional concrete strengthening works to support the deeper channel
  • installation of a new navigation aid to improve vessel guidance
Kingston pier channel dredging plan

Environmental approvals

The Project was assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It was determined to be a controlled action and required assessment through a Public Environment Report.

The Project received environmental approval on 7 April 2025, subject to conditions designed to protect the environment and nearby sensitive areas. Environmental management measures, including water quality monitoring, will be implemented during construction.  Since November, water quality monitoring buoys have been deployed in the waters surrounding the Pier, collecting data for establishing a baseline for monitoring quality during dredging operations.

The Public Environment Report and supporting documentation are available below:

Planning approvals

A development application for the transport of dredged material to and associated restoration works at Cascade Quarry was approved in 2022 by the Norfolk Island Regional Council under the Planning Act 2002 (NI).  The DA was amended in 2025 to include the associated Kingston Pier rock revetment remediation and extension project.

Project timing

Prior to works starting on the dredging, works to repair and extend the rock revetment at Kingston will be undertaken.  The procurement of a construction contractor is almost complete, and the works are expected to start mid-year.

Procurement of a construction contractor for the dredging and repair of the Pier is planned for the first half of 2026. Construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2026 and take approximately six to nine months to complete. The dredging component is anticipated to take around three months within this timeframe. Disruption to existing port operations during construction will be minimised as far as possible.

Further information

If you have questions about the Kingston Pier Channel Construction Project, please contact:

Email: territories_projects@infrastructure.gov.au