Media Release
8 July 2016
The Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development is preparing a Site Master Plan for the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) on Norfolk Island. Eric Martin & Associates, SGS Economics & Planning and the Stafford Group have been engaged to undertake concept development.
I encourage Expressions of Interest for ambitious and creative use of the unique assets within KAVHA to both protect the heritage values and provide a commercial return for the site. Interested parties can contribute their ideas for the use of existing buildings as well as the potential for suitable refurbishment, restoration and redevelopment aligned to the following site management objectives as outlined in the (Draft) 2016 KAVHA Heritage Management Plan and 2015 Economic Development Strategy:
- promoting economic development on Norfolk Island;
- providing a sustainable revenue stream for KAVHA: such as considering mechanisms for those commercial operators who currently use the site to contribute to its ongoing maintenance and care, and other opportunities for private sector involvement in the site;
- improving the capacity of the site to manage the expected increase in cruise ship arrivals to Norfolk Island once the refurbishment of Cascade Pier is completed;
- conserving the site's significant heritage values;
- improve the quality and range of authentic experiences for visitors;
- ensure KAVHA remains relevant and accessible to the local community; and
- examine options to utilise buildings on the site for commercial, not for profit and community purposes to ensure proper balance between heritage, economic development, tourism and community use of this World Heritage Listed site.
As the State Party to the World Heritage Convention, and the asset owner, the Commonwealth must:
- adopt a general policy which aims to give the cultural and natural heritage a function in the life of the community and to integrate the protection of heritage into comprehensive planning programs;
- undertake ‘appropriate legal, scientific, technical, administrative and financial measures necessary for the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of this heritage; and
- refrain from ‘any deliberate measures which might damage, directly or indirectly, the cultural and natural heritage’ of other Parties to the Convention, and to help other Parties in the identification and protection of their properties.
Expressions of Interest can be provided by email to office.administrator@infrastructure.gov.au or in writing to PO Box 27, Norfolk Island 2899.
The Hon Gary Hardgrave