The Norfolk ISLANDER The World of Norfolk’s Community Newspaper for more than 49 Years FOUNDED 1965 Successors to - The Norfolk Island Pioneer c. 1885 The Weekly News c 1932 : The Norfolk Island Monthly News c. 1933 The N.I. Times c. 1935 : Norfolk Island Weekly c. 1943 : N.I.N.E. c. 1949 : W.I.N. c. 1951 : Norfolk News c. 1965 Volume 49, No. 37 SATURDAY, 1st NOVEMBER 2014 Price $2.75 Visit To Canberra By The Norfolk Island Chief Minister And Speaker Sea Bird Crisis - Phillip Island Over the last 8-10 years there has been The Hon. Lisle Snell, Chief Minister and Minister for growing concern within the Norfolk Island Tourism and the Hon. David Buffett, Speaker of the Norfolk community regarding the impacts of purple Island Legislative Assembly, were in Canberra this week to Swamphens (Porphyrio) on Phillip Island sea seek an agreed bilateral government consultation approach to bird colonies. It is recognised that swamphens the proposed Norfolk Island governance reform process. are one of a number of pressures being exerted, The Hon. David Buffett presented to the Hon. Bronwyn and that all long term management must be Bishop MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives, a motion based upon a sound scientific basis. from the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly that was passed (continued overleaf) on 15 October 2014. The Chief Minister and Speaker presented petitions on behalf of Norfolk Island residents to Dr Dennis Jensen MP, the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Petitions Committee, and to Senator Sue Lines. The Chief Minister and Speaker also met with various parliamentarians to brief them on the proposed Norfolk Island governance reform process. Our photo shows The Hon. Bronwyn Bishop and the Hon. David Buffett; The Hon. David Buffett, the Hon. Lisle Snell, Dr Dennis Jensen MP Lisle Snell, Chief Minister P&RP&R Groceries Groceries PinnaclesPinnacles Takeaways Takeaways PhonePhone 23474 23474 (2FISH) (2FISH) PhonePhone 23110 23110 Sunday Sunday—Thursday—Thursday to to 9pm 9pm OpenOpen from from 4.30pm 4.30pm Try Try our our Burgers, Burgers, Local Local Fish Fish & & Chips Chips FridayFriday & & Saturday Saturday night night to to 10pm! 10pm! NowNow with with BFC. BFC. Brian’s Brian’s Crunchy Crunchy Fried Fried Chicken! Chicken! Sea Bird Crisis - Phillip Island - continued • One species (Morus serrator) has been completely A recent inspection visit to Phillip Island has lost to the Phillip/Norfolk Island region. confirmed there is a need for urgent action to avoid • One species (Sterna fuscata) has been progressively total destruction of the Phillip Island seabird colonies. colonising the northern coastline of Norfolk Island The visit was in the company of Assistant Secretary as the decline on Phillip Island gathered pace. Dr Judy West, Ornithologist consultant Mr Luis • Evidence of swamphens can be found across the Ortez Catedral, Mr Derek Ball of the international length and width of Phillip Island. conservation group Wildmob, and Park rangers Mr • Almost no other predators are present on Phillip Joel Christian and Ms Cassandra Jones on the 28th Island. (One Kestrel - Falco cenchroides) seen October 2014. The crisis has also been worked through resting on a rock. Seabirds have co-existed in the with Endangered Species Commissioner Mr Gregory region with kestrels for decades with negligible Andrews who was able to accompany us to the Phillip effect. Island landing. • The camera monitored Sooty Tern egg collection The decline in seabird activity is stark for breeding exclusion zone has fared no better than other parts season time of year, giving the impression of mid- of the island. In 2013 visitors to the island recorded winter when most species of seabirds have migrated. greater swamphen activity in the exclusion zone, Facts are: with the observation offered that reduced human • At least five species of seabird have been severely presence was an advantage for the swamphens. impacted: In light of these alarming facts I am proposing that Grey Ternlet - Procelsterna albivitta there be a joint response effort between the Norfolk Australasian Gannet - Morus serrator Island Government and National Park Management to Masked Booby - Sula dactylatra address the increasing swamphen activity. Red Tailed Tropic Bird - Phaethon rubicaudra (continued overleaf) Sooty Tern - Sterna fuscata SATURDAY Partly cloudy. Slight (20%) chance of an MONDAY Cloudy. High (80%) chance of showers. W/ early shower. E/NE winds 10/15 knots. Moderate seas on NW winds 10/15 knots tending SE during the day. Min: moderate SW swell. Min: 16 Max: 22 17 Max: 22 SUNDAY Cloud increasing. N/NW 10/15 knots. TUESDAY Cloudy. High (70%) chance of showers. SE Min: 17 Max: 22 winds 10/15 knots. Min: 16 Max: 21 POPULATION STATISTICS - PEOPLE ON ISLAND WEEK ENDING RES GEP TEP VISITORS UEP OTHER TOTAL 18th September 2014 1299 46 78 487 223 2133 25th September 2014 1276 45 76 618 195 2210 30th September 2014 1324 49 76 715 186 2350 9th October 2014 1349 51 77 551 207 2235 16th October 2014 1331 51 77 660 211 2330 23rd October 2014 1301 50 78 662 221 2312 Norfolk’s Most Interesting Store LOTS of shapes & sizes to choose from. The right FAN for every budget!! Preserve your seasonal Sun waking you up early? produce... Hang some curtains!! Sheers, solids & block-outs TAYLORS ROAD EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: (Int + 6723) 22405 WEBSITE: www.petesplace.nlk.nf FAX: (Int + 6723) 23098 Phillip Island Norfolk Island National Park Whale bird egg harvest season Sea Bird Crisis - Phillip Island - continued Boat Landing As Minister responsible I would be willing to issue ! permits under the Birds Protection Act 1913 to National y lle Parks (who also have similar provisions under the Va ! ng Parks Australia Hut Lo No egg collection EPBC Act) and to the Norfolk Island Administration to zone cull an agreed prescribed number of swamphen. This Collection Zone would enable National Park personnel to control the predators on Phillip Island, while the Norfolk Island Parks and Forestry Service can affect controls in the Legend Kingston wetlands that are known to be prime breeding walking_route grounds for the swamphen. No Collect Zone Collection Zone This interim intervention would allow for any wider Jacky Jacky issue research that may be identified as necessary and flags responsible and proactive approach. Whale bird egg harvesting from Swamphens are great waders and runners. When disturbed they much prefer to run or hide than to fly. the ‘Chord’ on Norfolk Island However when pushed, they are strong fliers and The Director of National Park would like to reiterate can fly long distances if needed. Swamphens lack that the harvestingCollectio nofp Whaleermitte dbirddur i(Sternang decla fuscata)red eggs fromW thehal eChordbird e gsectiong harve soft s theeas oNorfolkn from c oIslandllectio nNationalzone webbed feet, but are good swimmers and have good Park falls outside theon Pculturalhillip Isl aprovisionsnd only under section balance in water, on land or in trees. Swamphens are 6.6 of the Norfolk Island National Park Management aggressive and will attack, particularly, the chicks of Plan 2008-2014 and is inconsistent with the EPBC Act other species. 1999. The culling of Swamphens on Great Barrier Island by To enforce the protection of nesting birds, the Chord the New Zealand Department of Conservation has been section of the Norfolk Island National Park will be closed a major part of the programme to restore the population until the completion of the Whale bird nesting season. It of little brown teal. Swamphens have good hearing and is important that everybody who is participating in the eyesight, and can be very challenging to hunt once egg harvest ensures that they only gather eggs from the they are wised up to hunting, often posting a sentry collection zone on Phillip Island. Please see the below in a high position while the others feed. However, in map. low light and/or high winds they are easier to approach. While this cultural practice, on Phillip Island, has been Trapping would be done with a shortened version of allowed for in the management plan it is important that the trip traps commonly used as cat traps. we all ensure a sustainable harvest. Though the Whale It has also been reported that swamphens at Phillip bird is not endangered worldwide, the annual harvest and Island are now severely impacting on the Carpobrotus predation may be affecting the Phillip Island population. glaucescens (commonly known as pigface or ice plant). The Whale bird is a listed marine species under Part 13 This is of concern as Carpobrotus is a vital revegetation of the EPBC Act. Therefore, it is important that people plant, one of the few that can cope with Phillip Island’s only collect from the declared ‘collection zone’ on extreme conditions. This development is not surprising Phillip Island and display care during the harvest to as the depleted seabird colonies are no longer able to minimise avoidable impacts to the birds themselves or provide the moisture the swamphens are seeking. the inadvertent crushing of eggs. Ron Ward Minister for the Environment If you have any queries in relation to the declared 30 October 2014 collection zone or season please don’t hesitate to contact Norfolk Island National Park on 22695. $21 MILLION SUPERDRAW DRAW NUMBER 3473 BUY TICKETS NOW AT The Trading Post Newsagency NORFOLK MALL ����������������� �������� Welcome To The Waka Haunui The Hon. Robin Adams MLA, Minister for Cultural Heritage and Community Services, welcomes the Waka Haunui and all who sail in her to Norfolk Island’s shores. “As your pacific neighbour we join with you in your call for action in protecting the environment in harmony with our cultures. We salute your courage and wish you God speed on your journey as the ancestors you spoke of in your message to us guide you across the seas to take the message of the Pacific Promise to the 2014 World Parks Congress in Sydney” the Minister said.