Park Management
Monitoring the breeding success of the Norfolk Island Morepork.
Responsibilities and Functions of Parks Australia
The prime objective of Parks Australia, relevant to Norfolk Island, is:
To support the Minister and the Department of the Environment and Water Resources in the conservation and appreciation of Australia's biological diversity and associated cultural heritage through leadership and cooperation by:
- effective management of protected areas within the sphere of its responsibility;
- promotion of Australia's flora through education, study and display; and
- provision of policy advice on protected areas and wildlife management.
The restoration of the unique island habitats and systems is undertaken by Park staff, to provide opportunities for the native plants and animals to flourish and be preserved in a dynamic situation for perpetuity. Sites of natural or cultural heritage significance are maintained or enhanced for the pleasure and education of present and future generations. The Norfolk Island National Park is an important destination for visitors to the Island. It provides unique opportunities to experience the flora and fauna in its natural setting.
The formal mechanism for Norfolk Island residents to provide guidance to Parks Australia in its management of the National Park and Botanic Garden is through the Norfolk Island National Park Advisory Committee (NINPAC)
Under the (Norfolk Island Local Government) Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden Act 1984 (NINP&NIBG Act), the senior officer responsible for the Norfolk Island National Park and the Norfolk Island Botanic Garden is designated as the Park Superintendent. This position is currently filled by the senior Parks Australia officer on Norfolk Island who is generally known as the Park Manager.
The (Commonwealth) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) applies to the Norfolk Island National Park and the Norfolk Island Botanic Garden. The Park Manager is responsible for ensuring the proper management of the Park and Botanic Garden, acting in accordance with the EPBC Act, the NINP&NIBG Act, the provisions of plans of management and advice provided by the Norfolk Island National Park Advisory Committee.
On request, Parks Australia provides advice and assistance to the Norfolk Island Administrator, the Norfolk Island Government, Norfolk Island Administration and to the public on conservation, wildlife management and environmental issues. The Park Manager also administers the NINP&NIBG Act and Regulations. These Regulations are formulated by the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly.
Plans of Management
Plans of Management for Norfolk Island National Park and the Norfolk Island Botanic Garden became effective in June 2000 in accordance with the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1975. (the relevant legislation effective at the time that the plans were prepared).
As of July 2000, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) came into force, encompassing and replacing the provisions found within the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1975 and those contained within a number of other Commonwealth Acts.
The plans of management set out how the National Park and Botanic Garden will be managed over a seven year period, including the management of natural and cultural resources, promotion and use of the reserves, research and monitoring and decision making procedures.
The plans of management were completed following extensive public input. For the current plans, a formal invitation for public submissions was published in June 1993 so that public comment could be taken into account when developing the Draft Plans of Management. The draft plans were published in April 1999 and public comment was again invited, resulting in a number of submissions representing a wide range of interests. The Draft Plans were then revised in light of comments received, in consultation with the Norfolk Island National Park Advisory Committee and the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly.
The current plans came into effect in June 2000 and, consistent with section 373 of the current EPBC Act, it is intended that they will be effective for seven years or until new plans come into operation within the prescribed period.
Norfolk Island National Park Advisory Committee
The Norfolk Island National Park Advisory Committee was established to advise the Norfolk Island Government and the Director of National Parks on the effective implementation of the Plans of Management and on other matters relevant to the Park. Members to the committee are appointed by the Administrator on the advice of the Director of National Parks and the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly.
The membership of the Committee is reviewed triennially and comprises:
- two representatives of Norfolk Island conservation organisations;
- two representatives of the Norfolk Island tourism industry;
- the Conservator of Public Reserves;
- two representatives of the Norfolk Island community (one with interests in Phillip Island); and
- the Director of National Parks
The Chairman is elected by the committee and the Park Superintendent acts as Secretary to the Committee. The relevant Norfolk Island Government Minister or his representative may attend Committee meetings as an observer.
The functions of the Committee are to:
- facilitate the development, implementation and revision of plans of management for the Norfolk Island Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden;
- monitor the management of the Norfolk Island Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden;
- identify and recommend conservation priorities within the Norfolk Island Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden;
- make recommendations on work programs required to implement the plans of management;
- recommend studies as appropriate, to assist the management of the Norfolk Island Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden; and
- provide a forum for members of the Norfolk Island community to raise issues relevant to the management of the Norfolk Island Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden.
Complementary Conservation Management on Norfolk Island
The Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly enacted the (Norfolk Island) Public Reserves Act 1997 early in 1997, and the Administrator appointed a Conservator of Public Reserves on 21 July 1997, under Section 18 of that Act. The public reserves are under the care and control of the Administrator. The Conservator is responsible for the management of public reserves other than the Park and Botanic Garden in accordance with the plan of management for each public reserve.
Norfolk Island's principal planning tool is the Norfolk Island Plan. The mission statement of the Plan is to ensure that the planning process promotes ecological sustainability and identifies the natural and cultural values of the Island.
The objectives Norfolk Island National Park and the Norfolk Island Botanic Garden Management Plans complement those of the Norfolk Island Plan. The Conservator of Public Reserves is the senior officer of the Norfolk Island Parks and Forestry Service (NIPFS), which implements plans of management for public reserves; undertakes forestry operations in the Forestry Zone of the Park and in other public reserves; and is responsible for noxious weed control, stock inspection on public lands, and Crown lease inspections.
The NIPFS also coordinates policy and develops management programs related to all other conservation issues. The Conservator advises the Administrator and the Norfolk Island Minister with portfolio responsibilities for the Park and public reserves on matters relating to public reserves, environmental assessment, wildlife management, conservation, and heritage issues on and around Norfolk Island. The Conservator is a member of the Norfolk Island National Park Advisory Committee.
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