The Australian Government remains committed to engaging with the Norfolk Island community on the delivery of health and aged care services and has finalised the 2019 Norfolk Island Health Service Plan (the 2019 Plan).

The final 2019 Plan that I am releasing today on the Department's website, includes the views and experiences expressed by the community during KPMG's consultation meetings of December 2018, February 2019 and March 2020.

Norfolk Island has observed Australian Daylight Saving Time (DST) from 6 October 2019.

DST is due to end on Sunday 5 April 2020 and Norfolk Island will join New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory, in moving our clocks back by one hour.

This is a reminder to move your clocks back one hour at 2am local time on Sunday 5 April 2020 (or before you go to bed on Saturday night, 4 April 2020).

The Australian Government thanks the Norfolk Island community for your participation in the recent stage of consultations on options for the infrastructure and long-term management of Norfolk Island ports. 

The Norfolk Island Ports Management Strategy, developed by Grosvenor Performance Group (Grosvenor) and Consult Marine, will identify reliable and safe port operations to support the economic wellbeing and sustainability of the Norfolk Island community.

The Norfolk Island Multipurpose Health Services Facility design is progressing well.

Thank you to those who provided input through a number of community drop-in sessions and targeted meetings on island last week. Your engagement continues to inform the facility’s initial design concepts. 

The project team, including KPMG and design services contractor GHD Pty Ltd presented updated design concepts to Norfolk Island residents, following the recent community and stakeholder feedback on the original integrated design. 

The Australian Government is implementing a number of changes to legislation to support businesses and individuals, as part of the ongoing response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and its economic impacts.

Ensuring consistency with relief offered through Commonwealth legislative frameworks, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories Nola Marino has made rules for debts and meeting arrangements under the Norfolk Island Continued Laws Ordinance.

As part of the ongoing response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the Australian Government is extending support to businesses and individuals financially affected by the pandemic.

The temporary changes to debt arrangements, which originally commenced on 21 July 2020, provide more flexibility (including allowing more time) for the management of debt, easing the impact of COVID-19 on Norfolk Island businesses. 

The Australian Government acknowledges, and appreciates, community concerns about availability of freight, and current stock shortages of essential supplies on Norfolk Island.

The Government continues to support air freight services for Norfolk Island and is working closely with freight services providers to better meet demand at this challenging time.

It is important to remember that sea freight remains a private sector function. There is a further voyage of the sea freighter scheduled for mid-year.

The successful, ongoing conservation, protection and management of the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (Kingston) is a key priority for the Australian Government, in alignment with the ambitions and support of the Norfolk Island community for the World Heritage site.

An approach to market to develop and renew key management plans for Kingston has been released through Austender by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.