Updated fire control laws for Norfolk Island

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Amendments to Norfolk Island’s fire control laws, to enhance community and environmental safety, are now open for public comment and we want to hear your views. A draft of the Norfolk Island Continued Laws Amendment (Fire Control) Ordinance 2022 is now open for public comment.

Why we want your input

It is important that local input and knowledge continue to inform legislation changes on Norfolk Island.

How you can voice your opinion

Read the draft of the Norfolk Island Continued Laws Amendment (Fire Control) Ordinance 2022 and corresponding fact sheet.

What will be the outcome of this consultation?

Your submission will help inform new laws on the use of fire on Norfolk Island.

The Issue

The updates to the Fire Control Act (2000) (NI), were commenced at the request of the Chief Fire Control Officer in 2020, following a dry summer period and ongoing reduced water availability on the island.

Following the release of a consultation paper, the Norfolk Island community shared their views on this issue during two face-to-face community consultation sessions hosted by the Administrator in March 2021. Generally, attendees agreed further controls on burning should be introduced, and that regulation and education would be beneficial for the health of the community, visitors and the island environment.

Attendees broadly agreed further controls on burning should be introduced, and that regulation and education would be beneficial for the health of the community, visitors and the island environment.

The proposed new rules reflect earlier feedback provided by the community on fire control, from consultation processes in 2020 and 2021. We want to make sure local input and knowledge informs legislation changes on Norfolk Island.