The Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities has initiated capital works projects to implement a number of recommendations of the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) Advisory Committee.

Members of the community may have noticed that a number of trees were recently removed from KAVHA, primarily around Government House. Several of the trees had significant fungal decay, including the largest one which has been removed opposite No.10 Quality Row. 

The Advisory Committee for the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (Kingston) met recently on Island to discuss key projects and priorities for the site.

Members of the Committee were very pleased to see a range of improvements across the site. There was a strong will to continue the momentum toward the long-term vision to conserve and tell the stories of Kingston’s unique heritage, enhance community access and use, and develop the site’s potential to deliver economic returns to the Island.

The Australian Government is working to transition the delivery of workers compensation arrangements for Norfolk Island to a new service provider.

From 1 July 2016, the local workers compensation scheme, as a state-type service, has been delivered by Norfolk Island Regional Council on behalf of the Australian Government.

The Australian Government is preparing for the next phase of the Norfolk Island Multipurpose Health Services Facility (MPS) project.

As most residents would be aware, the project was established to develop the initial and detailed business cases which will lead to the Australian Government’s consideration of funding approval for a new MPS for the Island.

A request for expressions of interest in design consultancy services will be released on 23 September.

Many in the community would have received the Trade Notice from Transam Argosy advising that the Capitaine Wallis had been removed from shipping schedules, and the Southern Tiare would be utilised for the November and December voyages.

Discussions have commenced between my office, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development, the Norfolk Island Regional Council, Transam Argosy and Burnt Pine Travel to identify potential contingencies to mitigate reduced sea freight services and/or capacity.

The Australian Government remains committed to engaging with the Norfolk Island community on the delivery of health and aged care services and is preparing for consultations on the 2019 Draft Norfolk Island Health Service Plan (the 2019 Draft Plan).

Under the Australian Government’s multipurpose health facility framework, each multipurpose health facility is required to have a health service plan in place which is periodically reviewed and updated.

The recently completed extensions to the dining and common room at the Norfolk Island Health and Residential Aged Care Service (NIHRACS) facility have provided aged care residents with more room to gather for their meals and meet with friends and family members.

The project was funded by the Australian Government as part of its commitment to improving community infrastructure on Norfolk Island.

Watermill Dam

On behalf of the Australian Government, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development (The Department) is planning a project in early 2020 to remove sediments from the millpond behind the Watermill Dam in KAVHA and repair the dam’s sluice gate to increase the dam’s water holding capacity.