Norfolk Island Environment Strategy 2018–2023
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Norfolk Island Environment Strategy 2018–2023 Norf’k Ailen Riigenl Kaunsl Enwairanment Straeteji De wieh wi luk aut fe auwas said The way we look after our place Version V1 Date Approved 21 November 2018 Resolution Number 2018/188 This page is intentionally blank. Executive Summary To ensure a sustainable environment for future generations, the Norfolk Island Environment Strategy has been developed for the Norfolk Island Community. This Plan complements the strategic plans under the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework for Norfolk Island, to meet the operational target to develop an Environment Strategy, and to provide a monitoring and reporting framework for State of the Environment Reporting required under the NSW Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) (NI). Extensive reviews of existing plans, strategies, guidelines and statutory documents, in conjunction with stakeholder and community consultation were undertaken in the development of this Strategy. There was a high level of community response to the consultation, with over 200 community members engaged through a survey, workshops and community information pop-ups. A majority of people in the community indicated they were highly committed to preserving a healthy environment on Norfolk Island and identified that it was very important that the island is an environmentally sustainable community. During consultation it was evident that all environmental themes were important to the community, however, the key themes included waste management, water quality, population and biosecurity. The actions of this Environment Strategy draw on the aspirations of the community and provide Council with tangible actions to implement in Council’s operational planning. Resourcing is a key limitation in implementing the Environment Strategy. One of the most common issues raised in submissions received when the draft Environment Strategy was placed on public display was that Council needs qualified environmental staff, particularly for essential works in the reserves and for the management of pests and weeds. Limitations apply not only to resourcing Council’s small environment section, but also to Council’s ability to access external grant funding. To address this resourcing issue, the Strategy actions focus on collaboration and community participation wherever possible. The Environment Strategy is a living document and can be updated as new actions are developed, or actions within the Strategy are achieved. The Environment Strategy actions have been prioritised, including detailing the timeframe in which each action should commence. Norfolk Island Environment Strategy 2018-2023 iii Table of Contents List of Figures .................................................................................................................................. v List of Tables ................................................................................................................................... v 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 The environment of Norfolk Island ..................................................................................... 7 2 Resourcing and implementing the Environment Strategy ............................................................. 9 3 Why the Environment Strategy was developed ........................................................................... 10 3.1 Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework ............................................................... 10 3.2 Community Strategic Plan 2016–2026 .............................................................................. 11 3.3 State of the Environment Reporting ................................................................................. 11 3.4 Progress reporting on the Environment Strategy ............................................................. 12 3.5 Legislative framework ....................................................................................................... 12 4 Consultation and public display .................................................................................................... 14 4.1 How we did the initial community consultation ............................................................... 14 4.2 What the community said ................................................................................................. 14 4.3 Stakeholder consultation .................................................................................................. 15 4.4 Public display of the draft Environment Strategy ............................................................. 16 5 Objective 1: Use and Manage our Resources Wisely ................................................................... 17 5.1 Tactic 1.1 Develop a clean energy future.......................................................................... 18 5.2 Tactic 1.2 Protect and enhance our water quality ............................................................ 20 5.3 Tactic 1.3 Reduce, reuse and recover waste and end disposal of waste into the sea ...... 27 5.4 Tactic 1.4 Plan for additional pressures on water resources, transport, utilities and telecommunications infrastructure .............................................................................................. 31 5.5 Tactic 1.5 Create a food secure community ..................................................................... 40 5.6 Tactic 1.6 Create a water secure future ............................................................................ 46 5.7 Tactic 1.7 Keep our waters around Norfolk Island sustainable for the enjoyment of future generations ........................................................................................................................ 49 6 Objective 2: Preserve a Healthy Environment .............................................................................. 57 6.1 Tactic 2.1 Retain open spaces and low density development .......................................... 58 6.2 Tactic 2.2 Recognise growth of the population is linked to the long-term environmental sustainability of the Norfolk Island community ............................................................................ 68 6.3 Tactic 2.3 Protect and preserve environmentally sensitive areas and those of high conservation value, through improved land management and pest control practices ............... 71 6.4 Tactic 2.4 Support threatened species and minimise the presence of invasive species .. 74 6.5 Tactic 2.5 Ensure a healthy diverse marine ecosystem .................................................... 77 6.6 Tactic 2.6 Protect and preserve vegetation communities and habitat ............................. 79 6.7 Additional Tactics to Achieve Objective 1 and 2 ............................................................... 82 Norfolk Island Environment Strategy 2018-2023 iv 7 State of the Environment Reporting Framework ......................................................................... 86 7.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 86 7.2 State of the Environment Reporting Structure ................................................................. 86 7.3 Theme 1: Energy, transport utilities and resources .......................................................... 88 7.4 Theme 2: Waste ................................................................................................................ 88 7.5 Theme 3: Sustainable food supply from the land and sea................................................ 89 7.6 Theme 4: Clean water in our tanks and marine areas ...................................................... 89 7.7 Theme 5: Population, planning and retaining open landscapes ....................................... 91 7.8 Theme 6: Biodiversity ....................................................................................................... 93 8 References .................................................................................................................................... 95 9 Appendix A – Summary of all actions listed in order of priority ................................................. 101 9.1 Priority 1 Actions ............................................................................................................. 101 9.2 Priority 2 Actions ............................................................................................................. 104 9.3 Priority 3 Actions ............................................................................................................. 106 List of Figures Figure 1: Norfolk Island Group ................................................................................................................ 8 Figure 2: The Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework for Norfolk Island ................................ 10 Figure 3: Waterways and groundwater bores ...................................................................................... 22 Figure 4: Administration of Norfolk Island, 2010 estimate of future aggregate (crushed rock) requirements on Norfolk Island ............................................................................................................ 35 Figure 5: Norfolk Island Marine Reserve zones .................................................................................... 51 Figure 6: National Park and Reserves ..................................................................................................