The Australian Government is continuing to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of Christmas Island residents and visitors, with works to replace three of the existing protective fences and berms across Flying Fish Cove progressing.
Number: A27/2021
Date: 18 June 2021
The Australian Government is continuing to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of Christmas Island residents and visitors, with works to replace three of the existing protective fences and berms across Flying Fish Cove progressing.
The recent rockfall event in March reminded us all of the importance of fit-for-purpose infrastructure to safeguard the community from future events.
The Australian Government is working closely with specialised engineers on the works and it is critical that residents and visitors in the Kampong residential and recreational areas understand the risk of land slippage and rockfall, and evacuate the area immediately if alarms are sounded or if asked to do so. No access behind berms or fences is permitted. For the safety of the community, the existing site fencing will remain in place as an ongoing measure of protection, with residents and visitors unable to access the construction site at any time.
The Government is investing $28.9 million to replace the existing remaining fences and berms as well as installing fit-for-purpose stormwater management in the Drumsite area, to manage the risks of storm water, flooding, landslide and rockfall on Christmas Island. These works are to ensure that Flying Fish Cove remains a safe destination to live, work and visit over the coming decades.
As required for projects of this nature, a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works hearing on the proposed works will take place in August 2021, with further community consultation taking place on island this week as part of the Public Works approval process:
Information Display and drop-in session for the Christmas Island Stormwater, Landslide and Rockfall Mitigation Works Project
3pm – 5pm, Thursday 24 June 2021, Function Room 1, Christmas Island Recreation Centre
I encourage you to drop by and speak with representatives from the Department and the engineering consultants to find out more. If you require any further information regarding the works, please contact the Department’s project team, via a dedicated email address: ffclmpconsultation@infrastructure.gov.au
Natasha Griggs
Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands