The community consultation process to inform the development of a community-led strategic plan for Norfolk Island has been postponed due to the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) response and travel ban.
The community survey release and on-Island consultations will be rescheduled in coming months. I will keep you informed when we are ready to recommence this very important piece of work.
The purpose of the strategic plan is for you to establish the medium to long-term vision for Norfolk Island, and to map priorities in areas of your choosing, for example, economic development, social and community needs, culture, and the environment.
Your vision would then be used by the Australian Government, in partnership with the Norfolk Island Regional Council, business sector, and community, to guide future goals and investment.
When non-essential travel is allowed and consultations can safely be facilitated, Vanessa Bennett, from C Change Sustainable Solutions, and Leon Mills, from Stump Jump Solutions, will visit Norfolk Island to guide the process, including comprehensive community consultations, and stakeholder engagement, to develop a plan which incorporates and builds on the long-term vision of the Council and the community captured in the Norfolk Island Regional Council—Strategic Plan.
Both Mrs Bennett and Mr Mills have extensive expertise in regional development strategies, including their recent delivery of the strategic plans for both Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
I continue to work with the Australian Government to investigate how to further support the community through economic challenges associated with the coronavirus, in addition to the support measures already announced.
If you have further questions, please contact the Office of the Administrator on office.administrator@regional.gov.au or phone 22152.
Eric Hutchinson
Administrator of Norfolk Island
26 March 2020