The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is progressing work on the Kingston Pier Channel Construction Project, a vital long-term infrastructure project for Norfolk Island that will improve safety and reliability for vessels accessing the pier.
The department has undertaken extensive stakeholder engagement throughout the development of this project. This has included public exhibition phases for two separate development approval processes and public exhibition of the jetty augmentation project during the environmental approvals process, including review and inclusion of comments received from the public.
The department understands the community has a strong interest in the project and will continue to provide updates as planning, procurement and construction progress.
The project will be delivered in stages. Initial works will focus on repairs and extensions to the rock revetment at Kingston. The tender process for these works has now been finalised and Land and Marine Ocean Engineering has been engaged to undertake the works. This company has committed to use local materials and businesses as much as possible throughout the project. The works on the revetment are scheduled to commence within the next month.
This stage will be followed by dredging and pier repair works, which are anticipated to begin in the second half of 2026. The request for tender to undertake these works has now been released and is available to review on Austender. An update on the outcome of the tender process will be provided in due course.
Dredging is a key component of the project. Deepening and widening the navigation channel will make it safer and more reliable for vessels to access Kingston Pier, particularly during lower tides when conditions can currently be challenging for vessel operators.
Protecting the surrounding marine environment remains a key priority. The project has been through a rigorous environmental assessment process. Environmental approval for the project was granted in April 2025, following rigorous assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Planning approval for the transport and reuse of dredged material at Cascade Quarry is also in place.
Extensive environmental monitoring will be undertaken during dredging works to help ensure impacts on the surrounding marine environment are minimised as much as possible, with safeguards in place to track water quality in real time and enable a rapid response should any changes be detected. The department is also working closely with Parks Australia and environmental specialists to ensure dredging activities are carefully planned and delivered to minimise environmental impacts.
Kingston Pier plays an essential role in island life, supporting cargo operations, emergency services, fishing activities and passenger transfers. The project will improve the depth and width of the navigation channel and strengthen the pier, helping ensure safer and more reliable vessel access.
