Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) is an important part of Norfolk Island's past, an integral part of day to day community life in the present and brings with it many possibilities for future growth on the island. As Chair of the KAVHA Advisory Committee I"m committed to exploring the possibilities of how the community can gain the most benefit from having this wonderful site in our backyard. I am pleased today to announce two upcoming activities that will assist the KAVHA Advisory Committee to achieve our aim of unlocking the site's future potential and growth.
KAVHA Advisory Committee Port Arthur study tour
The KAVHA Advisory Committee and representatives from the Norfolk Island Regional Council will visit the Port Arthur Historic Site in Tasmania next week to look into potential strategies to improve the conservation, governance and tourism potential of KAVHA.
The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most well-known tourist destinations, and as one of the eleven Australian Convict Sites on the World Heritage List alongside KAVHA, is a great example of how heritage sites can be used effectively to create a vibrant tourism industry. Recent investment at the Port Arthur Historic Site has been effective in conserving heritage values, increasing visitor numbers and generating income for the Tasmanian economy.
Accompanying me on the study tour are local KAVHA Advisory Committee members Mr David (Dids) Evans and Mr Duncan Evans along with expert Committee members Ms Kristal Buckley AM and Mr Kevin Sumption. We are pleased to have invited representatives of the Norfolk Island Regional Council, General Manager Ms Lotta Jackson and Team Leader Heritage Management Ms Janelle Blucher, joining us to gain insights from their unique perspectives.
This study tour provides a great opportunity for key people involved in the strategic direction of KAVHA to learn from and build on the lessons and success of the Port Arthur site. On return, the KAVHA Advisory Committee will report back to the community on the outcomes of the visit.
Study to examine KAVHA's economic potential
A study to identify the future economic needs and potential of KAVHA has been commissioned by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.
The study will examine key factors influencing KAVHA's current and potential contribution to the Norfolk Island economy, which will be used to inform future decisions on governance reforms, infrastructure investment and in support of applications for conservation funding.
The Centre for International Economics (CIE) has been engaged by the Department to deliver the study. The Terms of Reference for the study are provided as an attachment to this message.
CIE will be on-island for consultation on the study during the week of 29 May. Members of the Norfolk Island community are invited to drop in to No. 11 Quality Row at KAVHA between 2pm and 5pm on Thursday 1 June to contribute information and ideas for consideration.
Eric Hutchinson
18 May 2017