The Australian Government is developing options to ensure the Home Care Packages program is fully established on Norfolk Island to better support our residents. I want to keep you updated as we go through this process.

Home Care Packages (HCP) provide eligible older Australians access to affordable home care and assistance services– ranging from personal care and nursing, to specialised in home support including modifications and assistive equipment.

Eligibility for the packages requires assessment and approval by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).

I had the great pleasure of swearing in five new Australian citizens in a ceremony at Government House on Tuesday, September 3.

I would like to welcome and congratulate Amanda and Sam Cribb, Paul Browne, Richard Lee and Ghee Keng Tina Siah.

These five new citizens were joined by family and friends as they made the pledge of commitment to Australia, the nation they have chosen to call home.

It was a very moving experience for all in attendance.

Eric Hutchinson
September 2019

I am pleased to announce that, after visiting Norfolk Island and meeting with locals in February this year, Dr Ian Lean, Managing Director of Scibus, has completed his report on ways to utilise artificial insemination and embryo transfer for ruminant livestock (cattle, sheep and goats) on Norfolk Island.

Dr Lean recognised the genuine urgency to produce new male genetics and made some sound recommendations on the way forward.

I am pleased to announce that the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities has appointed Martin Purslow as the new Heritage Manager for KAVHA. Martin will move to Norfolk Island with his wife Sue.

The conservation, protection and presentation of KAVHA’s unique natural and cultural landscape is a key part of preserving the site’s heritage values and its place in the everyday lives of the community.

The recent drafting of a Cultural Landscape Management Plan (CLMP) by GML Heritage + Context (GML) is an important step towards ensuring this ongoing preservation. It will also assist with implementing priority policies and recommendations contained in the KAVHA Heritage Management Plan (2016).

The Australian Government would like to thank the Norfolk Island community for their input to discussions on management of Cascade and Kingston ports during the week of September 23.

A large number of people with a wide range of interests were engaged throughout the consultations, with the community providing insightful and valuable feedback that will support development of a Ports Management Strategy.

A range of topics were discussed with the community regarding the current operations of Cascade and Kingston ports and future expectations for the ports.

The Australian Government wishes to advise that, due to reduced demand for freight over August and September, TOLL and Burnt Pine will change the schedule for freight flights.

A flight will occur on 16 August and the flights on 9 and 30 August have been cancelled.

This change does not impact on the overall program of flights and there is the potential to add flights into the schedule later in the year, if demand is high.

Community members are invited to provide feedback on the draft Development Control Plan (DCP) for the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA), an important tool for providing landowners, leaseholders, businesses and site managers with a clear set of guidelines for progressing development and use within KAVHA.

The DCP will help ensure the area is open for business in a way that is sensitive to the site’s unique environmental and cultural heritage.