Working with the Norfolk Island community, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts has made key contributions to improving water quality on Norfolk Island in recent years, with particular focus on Kingston.
Working with the Norfolk Island community, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts has made key contributions to improving water quality on Norfolk Island in recent years, with particular focus on Kingston. This work has been delivered in close partnership with the Norfolk Island Regional Council (NIRC), Parks Australia and CSIRO.
Together, we are building a clearer understanding of water quality challenges and taking coordinated, practical action across priority catchments. This collaborative approach is ensuring improvements are effective, locally informed and sustainable over the long term.
Upgraded infrastructure, strengthened scientific monitoring and targeted on‑ground works are already reducing pollution risks and supporting the long‑term health of the Island's distinct natural and cultural environment.
What has been achieved so far:
Upgrading wastewater management in Kingston
One of the most important improvements has been the replacement of ageing septic systems within the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (KAVHA). Septic tanks can allow nutrients and bacteria to leak into groundwater and nearby waterways over time. Over recent years, the Australian Government has invested $8.2 million to improve the sewerage system in KAVHA.
The old septic systems are being progressively replaced with a pumped sewer network, which has already significantly reduced a key source of contamination to groundwater and streams in this sensitive area. Completion of these works is expected in late 2026. This is a major investment in protecting both water quality and the World Heritage values of KAVHA.
Better science and monitoring through CSIRO
The department has partnered with CSIRO to strengthen the scientific understanding of water quality on Norfolk Island, investing more than $4.23 million since 2019-20, with continued funding support by the department in 2026-27. This work includes:
- Establishing site‑specific water quality guidelines that recognise the distinct characteristics of Norfolk Island's ecosystems
- Expanding the number of groundwater monitoring bores in KAVHA, allowing more comprehensive monitoring, including measurement of groundwater levels
- Regular sampling of marine, surface and groundwater to understand where pollutants come from and how they move through the landscape.
This monitoring is helping build a clearer picture of trends over time and provides the evidence needed to target actions where they will have the greatest benefit. Further information, including CSIRO water quality reports for Norfolk Island, can be found here at https://www.csiro.au/en/research/natural-environment/water/Water-resource-assessment/Norfolk
Protecting waterways and their banks
A range of on‑ground works have been undertaken to improve waterway health in KAVHA, including:
- Fencing waterways to prevent cattle access, reducing bank erosion and direct contamination
- Planting native vegetation along creek lines, which helps stabilise banks, filter nutrients and improve habitat
- Installing leaky weirs in waterways, which slow the flow of water, trap sediment and nutrients, and allow cleaner water to move downstream more gradually
- Reinstatement of regular monitoring and clearing vegetation from Watermill Dam
- Procurement of a flail mower to manage vegetation in KAVHA while minimising soil disturbance.
Together, these actions reduce sediment, nutrients and other pollutants entering waterways.
Funding support for catchment‑wide action
The department has recently approved funding for NIRC to deliver additional water quality improvements across several waterways on the Island, including within the KAVHA catchment.
This initiative aims to improve water quality through practical, on-ground actions, supported by collaboration between landholders, NIRC and the department. Further information will be provided by NIRC and the department when the program is launched.
What happens next:
Water quality improvement is a long‑term effort and the department's work is continuing.
Next steps include:
- Ongoing CSIRO monitoring to track changes over time and assess how effective current and future actions are
- Continued partnership with NIRC and landholders to deliver on‑ground improvements across priority catchments
- Further work by the department to explore additional options for improving water quality within Kingston, including management of the wetland areas
This work reflects the department's ongoing commitment to protecting Norfolk Island's waterways, improving environmental health and supporting sustainable land management into the future. We will provide regular updates as all these initiatives progress.
To learn more about water quality and security across the island, visit the department's website at Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment project.
