The 2020-21 Federal Budget is prioritising the delivery of essential services for Norfolk Island, committing $55.6 million of new funding over four years from 2020-21 for a range of programs to support the local economy emerge stronger and more resilient through the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, and grow sustainably into the future.
Our focus in this Budget is getting the Norfolk Island economy back-on-track by investing in targeted, practical measures to ensure Norfolk Island remains an exceptional place to live, work and visit over the coming decades. Ongoing freight services are also an important part of our collective vision for a strong Norfolk Island, enabling community access to essential supplies and materials while keeping the economy open.
This includes committing $12.2 million to underwrite passenger to Norfolk Island, ensuring that as travel restrictions ease we can see tourists returning to the Island to provide an essential boost to the local economy.
The tangible, sustainable measures we are delivering build on the previously announced $5.5 million stimulus plan to get shovels in the ground on priority community projects, supporting jobs and businesses impacted by the Coronavirus restrictions. Work is underway.
In this Budget we are backing Norfolk Island residents not only through the pandemic, but into the future by investing money in projects and programs that will make a real, long-term difference to the community.
Norfolk Island's spectacular natural environment is a significant driver of business opportunities for the Island. Along with supporting the management and maintenance of the World Heritage listed Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) with a $7.9 million investment over four years from 2020-21, we are also committing over $0.7 million to build a new visitor center at KAVHA as part of a $33.4 million package our Government is delivering to upgrade infrastructure at some of our nation's most treasured heritage sites.
The visitor center will not only help showcase an area of outstanding historical significance to the nation as our longest intact record of convict history, but it will also create local jobs and deliver greater capacity for tourism on the Island over the next several decades.
Along with the big-ticket items, this Budget continues to deliver critical services and projects that are a critical part of our vision for a strong and resilient Norfolk Island, including:
• Funding to augment the 2012 to 2014 quarantine survey with a new targeted survey to enable informed biosecurity decisions to promote economic development while conserving Norfolk Island's unique environment
• Managing Commonwealth land and assets, including weed control and fencing upkeep. This program will be delivered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, engaging local contractors to deliver a program of works on Commonwealth land
• Assisting the Norfolk Island Regional Council to manage challenges arising from the COVID-19 state of emergency
• Delivering cost-effective, high-quality and fit-for-purpose IT solutions, and ensuring Norfolk Island health facilities have reliable internet connection to enable continued functionality
• Acquiring and managing a fit-for-purpose marine search and rescue vessel for the Australian Federal Police. The acquisition will decrease response times in the event of an emergency, increasing the safety and protection of the Norfolk Island community and tourists, and
• Continuing the environmental investigation and response into Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) impacts on Norfolk Island.
The programs and projects we are delivering for Norfolk Island demonstrate our commitment to creating jobs, boosting business and growing the local economy.
For full details, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au.
