The Australian Government acknowledges and appreciates the range of opinions put forward about proposed changes to the Traffic Act and thanks those community members who took the time to respond.
Information about the submissions received, including a summary of responses, can now be found on the website of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development (the Department), at www.regional.gov.au/territories/norfolk_island/traffic-laws-public-submissions.aspx.
The Department received 37 individual submissions, and two petitions with more than 200 signatures, in response to the Traffic Laws in Norfolk Island discussion paper. Feedback focused on the proposed ban on ute-tray riding, drink driving laws and police powers.
A number of suggestions to refine the proposals, and other issues which could be reviewed, were also made.
The feedback and consultation process is ongoing and the Department is now considering the information received in submissions and will then look at further engagement and information-gathering activities to help refine the proposals.
We are committed to keeping the community informed as we progress these proposed changes, noting the strong public engagement. Website information will be updated as the process matures, with advice also provided through the Administrator’s Office and the Norfolk Islander and Norfolk Online.
Please contact the Administrator’s Office if you require a print-out of the updated web information and/or published submissions.
Eric Hutchinson
July 2019