The Australian Government has now confirmed the viability of a proposed temporary groyne, or landing structure, at Cascade Pier and will commence detailed design and approvals works.
In recognition of the critical priority to increase Norfolk Island’s sea freight capacity,
the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Communications (the Department) commissioned Arup to complete a feasibility study for a temporary groyne at Cascade.
Arup has reviewed the initial concept design for the proposal and confirmed a positive proof of concept that enables the safe berthing and unloading of vessels.
The proof of concept is designed to enable operational flexibility for berthing vessels, reduce maintenance, and increase structural stability.
Arup has now commenced the detailed design which will inform all necessary construction methodology and the environmental, biosecurity assessments and development approvals. I will keep the community informed as this work progresses, with this current design stage anticipated to take several weeks.
The Department is working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and the Norfolk Island Regional Council to ensure the proposal meets the needs of the community as well as all legislative obligations regarding environmental impact and first point of entry biosecurity requirements.
Any supplementary landing structure at Cascade will be a short-term solution while decisions on the long-term options are made and progressed through necessary government processes.
We are continuing to consider the long-term approach to sea freight through the Norfolk Island Ports Management Strategy, which will include further community consultation on the narrowed set of viable options for ports management on Norfolk Island.
The consultants for the Ports Management Strategy, Grosvenor and Consult Marine, will be engaging with stakeholders on each long-term option from 27 April to 7 May 2021. Further information on how you can have your say will be released shortly.
In the meantime, the Australian Government continues to support air freight to Norfolk Island, and is working closely with freight services providers to better meet demand in this challenging time.
Any enquiries about the Cascade proposal can be made to: office.administrator@infrastrcuture.gov.au
Eric Hutchinson
Administrator of Norfolk Island
19 March 2021
CAPTION: Concept design of a temporary landing structure at Cascade Port. This may change in the final detailed design.
