Norfolk Island Regional Council

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Norfolk Island Regional Council

Keeping the Community Informed - Application of NSW Legislation to Norfolk Island

Friday, October 28, 2016

The following NSW laws were applied to Norfolk Island on 1 July 2016 –

 Health Services Act 1997
 Interpretation Act 1987
 Local Government Act 1993
 Long Service Leave Act 1955

The application of other NSW laws was suspended for six months until 31 December 2016 to allow time for further negotiations and further consideration be given to transitional arrangements which will need to be in place before extensive application of NSW applied laws to Norfolk Island can occur. Mayor Adams wrote to Senator the Honourable Fiona Nash on 25 October 2016 in the following terms:

“Senator the Hon Fiona Nash MP
Minister for Regional Development
Minister for Local Government and Territories
Minister for Regional Communications
Deputy Leader of the Nationals
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Email to: Senator.Nash@aph.gov.au

Dear Senator,

APPLICATION OF NSW LEGISLATION TO NORFOLK ISLAND

Senator you will of course be aware that under the Norfolk Island Applied Laws Ordinance 2016 (Cth), section 4 – ‘Simplified outline of this Ordinance’ – ‘The laws of New South Wales, as in force in New South Wales from time to time, form part of the law of the Territory’ and that in this Ordinance ‘the term “applied laws” is used to refer to New South Wales laws in their character as laws of the Territory.’

Notwithstanding this, under Schedule 1 of the Ordinance –

‘the suspension of most applied NSW laws for six month is intended to allow time for further negotiations with the NSW government for its officers and employees to perform functions and provide services in relation to Norfolk Island. It would also enable further consideration to be given to transitional arrangements which will need to be in place before more extensive application of NSW applied laws to Norfolk Island can occur.’

Over the term of their appointment, the Norfolk Island Advisory Council made a number of formal recommendations to the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs and to the Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government Paul Fletcher. In their final report in June 2016 the Advisory Council made the following recommendation in respect of a ‘Modern Legal Framework for Norfolk Island’ –

‘The Advisory Council recommends the Australian Government establish a community consultation process to be applied for changes to laws on Norfolk Island which includes an impact assessment, a set timeframe for responding to the Minister and involves the Administrator and Regional Council’

I feel confident Senator that you will share Council’s concern that with 31 December 2016 fast approaching that a community consultation process and an impact assessment is yet to be undertaken. Additionally neither Council nor the Norfolk Island community has been advised whether it is intended that further transitional arrangements are to be put in place before there is more extensive application of NSW applied laws. These concerns have been relayed to the Administrator from time to time in our fortnightly meetings and I appreciate he shares Council’s concern.

Accordingly I write to propose to you Senator that a task force of Commonwealth officers and representatives from the Norfolk Island Council be established as a matter of priority to discuss what transitional arrangements are required and what impact assessment is to be undertaken to ensure the extension of NSW legislation, if it is to occur, that it is seamless and harmonises with the culture and way of life of the Norfolk Island people that has evolved over time independently of the culture and way of life of the people of New South Wales.

Yours sincerely,
Robin Adams
Mayor

Letter copied to the Administrator, Mr Gary Hardgrave; Mr Richard Hay Executive Officer; General Manager Ms Lotta Jackson, and Councillors

COUNCIL MATTERS

A reminder that the Delivery Program is out on public exhibition for 28 days and a copy is available at the Library and at Telecom as well as on Council’s website www.norfolkisland.gov.nf where you click on the link public exhibition documents. The Delivery Program sets out the actions the Councillors have committed to undertake in their four year term of office. These actions are consistent with the strategic objectives detailed in the Community Strategic Plan 2016-2026.

Robin Adams
Mayor
27 October 2016

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CHILD AND FAMILY WELLBEING - Raising Our Kids Together…as Community

Friday, October 28, 2016

Raising kids is far harder these days than ever before. Not only do we have to cope with all the risks from the internet, but many parents struggle with the job of parenting as well as holding down employment. I hear almost every day parents telling me how exhausted they are, and many talk about feeling as if they are in one long dark never-ending tunnel. It’s even harder if you’re going through a relationship breakdown and parents are hurt, angry, and frightened about the future.
All these life pressures mean that many parents simply don’t have the emotional resources to cope well with the normal demands of kids. In fact, I believe that every parent, at different times in their lives, comes unstuck when kids act out…or are simply kids being kids but at the wrong moment when the grown-ups just aren’t in the best headspace.

At these times, things can very quickly get out of hand. I’ve talked with many parents over the years who have shared with me those moments when they felt they were within a whisker of lashing out at their kids. Or worse still, those who have lost the plot for a moment and then found themselves up to their neck in trouble with the authorities. These are sad cases and even sadder, in every case, could have been prevented.

One way we can work towards preventing these tragic events is to step up, as a community, to the responsibility we all have to protecting our children and working together to raise secure, stable and resilient adults for tomorrow. Many cultures across the world have versions of the old African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child”i. Communities through history have realised that children need the support and nurturing from a range of different adults to nourish their development. It’s only been since the 1800’s and the emergence of capitalism that the nuclear family (typically a family group consisting of a pair of adults and their children) came into being, and much more recently that single-parent families and blended families became common in our society. As capitalism grew, so did the need for young adults to move away from their village and extended family to seek work. This trend has increased steadily and now we commonly see young adults and their children even travelling overseas for jobs. With this, family support weakens and parents have to take on even more responsibility juggling parenthood with raising the kids without support.

The consequence is that ‘the state’ (governments and other agencies) has had to step in and take over providing support to families. This includes providing financial support as well as services such as child care and family welfare. But with this often comes guilt and suspicion from parents who may be struggling but feel that reaching out for support is a sign of weakness. In many of the tragic cases we read about in the news, we find that the victims refused to seek help, believing that they would be punished for doing so. They forget the old proverb mentioned above – it’s up to all of us, as a community, to raise the children!
So here are a couple of the take-home messages:

 If you are a parent and you’re struggling to cope, please reach out and tell someone and ask for help; it is an act of courage and self-respect – NOT a sign of weakness – to recognise you can’t do the job of raising healthy responsible adults alone. And most importantly, by asking for help you’re showing your kids that you’re a strong parent who values their needs above a bit of misplaced self-pride.

 If you are part of this community and you observe a parent who seems to be struggling, reach out with a caring heart; it’s an act of kindness to someone who may be on the brink, and it could just be something that comes at a critical moment that could save a life. It can be as simple as complimenting the parent on the job they’ve taken on, or offering to help in the moment.

 As a whole community, we need to talk more about working together to raise our children. We shouldn’t be waiting until there’s a major crisis before we act, it’s about working together to create a seamless network of community members, services and agencies with responsibility for growing our next generation into the best possible people they can be. And that’s up to all of us!

If you’re a parent and not coping as well as you could, or if you know a friend or neighbour is struggling, please encourage them to contact the Child Welfare Officer on 51115 or other agencies for support to arrange a meeting to talk about how we could work together to make things better.

Child Welfare Officer
Mobile: 51115
25 October 2016

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Documents on Public Exhibition

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

The following document has been resolved by Council to be on Public Exhibition:

The document can be viewed at www.norfolkisland.gov.nf under the ‘Public Exhibition Documents’ link or at the Library.

For those wanting to make a public submission on this document please provide before 4.30pm on the date the public submissions close, shown in the table above. Submissions need to address the content of the document with clear references to specific items or sections within the document. Submissions can be made via email to regionalcouncil@nirc.gov.nf or posted to ‘Public Exhibition Submissions, Norfolk Island Regional Council, PO Box 95, Norfolk Island, 2899’.

Lotta Jackson General Manager

24 October 2016

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Return of Waste Management Centre Opening Hours

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

The Waste Management Centre will return to its usual opening hours from 25 October 2016. Therefore, the Centre will again be open from 7am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Council thanks the community for its patience whilst the Centre had to reduce hours due to operational requirements this month.

Lotta Jackson General Manager

24 October 2016

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Rates Notices

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Rates notices for this financial year were issued by the Norfolk Island Regional Council by 21 October 2016. Rates are levied on each parcel of land, otherwise known as a portion of land. The only exception is land categorised as tourist accommodation, which is charged according to the number of registered units.

Properties which are exempt from rates, such as those listed as KAHVA and Historical sites, will not receive an account, but will receive a letter outlining their property details and the fact that they have been classified as exempt.

Rates notices are subject to a pensioner rebate. To enquire if you are eligible for this rebate contact the Customer Care Team, or download a form at www.norfolkisland.gov.nf.

If you are having difficulties paying your rates, you may be eligible for a financial hardship (rate relief) application, including payment arrangements. A copy of this form can be downloaded from www.norfolkisland.gov.nf. Payment arrangement enquiries can be made to the Finance Team on +6723 22001.

For the information of the community, the back page of the rates notice is attached to this media release and provides information on how to pay your rates and how to make applications for rebates and special considerations.

The community will recall that Council approved the Rating Model on 28 September 2016. Administrative errors were identified within that model. At the Council meeting on 19 October, Council adopted the correct Rating Model and that is also attached to this media release. For full details on the administrative changes, please view the October meeting Agenda on Council’s website.

If you have any general queries regarding your rates notice please contact the Customer Care Team on +6723 22244 or email customercare@nirc.gov.nf. Hard copies of forms can be collected from the Customer Care Team.

Lotta Jackson General Manager

25 October 2016

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Taylors Road update

Friday, October 21, 2016

The General Manager of the Norfolk Island Regional Council, Ms Lotta Jackson, would like to thank the community, business owners and visitors for their patience during the road works and temporary road closures on Taylors Road. Ms Jackson would also like to thank the Commonwealth for the funds contributed to allow Council to undertake these works.

The road is now sealed and is open for use by the community. There is only a relatively short stretch of Taylors Road that remains to be upgraded – from outside Paw Paw’s Pump Shed to the village entrance. There is money allocated in Council’s budget to complete these works this financial year.

Lotta Jackson General Manager

21 October 2016

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Documents on Public Exhibition

Friday, October 21, 2016

Submissions need to address the content of the document with clear references to specific items or sections within the document. Submissions can be made via email to regionalcouncil@nirc.gov.nf or posted to ‘Public Exhibition Submissions, Norfolk Island Regional Council, PO Box 95, Norfolk Island, 2899’.

Lotta Jackson General Manager

21 October 2016

Please 'contact us' for more information.

Rates Notices

Friday, October 21, 2016

Rates notices for this financial year were issued by the Norfolk Island Regional Council at the end of this week.

Properties which are exempt from rates, such as those listed as KAHVA and Historical sites, will not receive an account, but will receive a letter outlining their property details and the fact that they have been classified as exempt.

Rates notices are subject to a pensioner rebate. To enquire if you are eligible for this rebate contact the Customer Care Team, or download a form at www.norfolkisland.gov.nf.

If you are having difficulties paying your rates, you may be eligible for a financial hardship (rate relief) application, including payment arrangements. A copy of this form can be downloaded from www.norfolkisland.gov.nf. Payment arrangement enquiries can be made to the Finance Team on +6723 22001.

For the information of the community, the back page of the rates notice is attached to this media release and provides information on how to pay your rates and how to make applications for rebates and special considerations.

The community will recall that Council approved the Rating Model on 28 September 2016. Administrative errors were identified within that model. At the Council meeting on 19 October, Council adopted the correct Rating Model and that is also attached to this media release. For full details on the administrative changes, please view the October meeting Agenda on Council’s website.

If you have any general queries regarding your rates notice please contact the Customer Care Team on +6723 22244 or email customercare@nirc.gov.nf. Hard copies of forms can be collected from the Customer Care Team.

Lotta Jackson General Manager

21 October 2016

Please 'contact us' for more information.

Keeping the Community Informed

Friday, October 21, 2016

MAYOR VISITS WOOLLAHRA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

‘Whilst my time off Island last week was for personal business, I did take the opportunity to meet with the Mayor of Woollahra Municipal Council Cr Toni Zeltzer, the General Manager Mr Gary James and Councillors,’ Mayor Adams said, ‘Woollahra Municipal Council is just up the road from Rose Bay where I was staying with friends. Their Council which has 15 Councillors meets twice a month on a Monday at 8.00pm. I was very warmly received by the Mayor who gave the Norfolk Island Regional Council formal recognition during their Council meeting. It was interesting to observe their meeting procedures which are very similar to ours though most of the evening’s business was debating planning issues.’

CURBING AND SEALING OF TAYLORS ROAD

‘I responded on radio this week to questions asked of me about the works on Taylors Road and I hope the following is helpful though it does not answer the question “why are we only curbing the low side of the road,”’ Mayor Adams said.

The Commonwealth provided $500,000 grant funding for – a) the footpath from Channers Corner to Norfolk Village; b) roadworks at Channers Corner to the cattle stop on Taylors Road, including concrete kerb/gutter and dish-drain; and c) roadworks along Taylors Road from this cattle stop until the Commonwealth’s funds ran out which was expected to happen near the Colony Chinese Restaurant.

A decision was taken to only concrete curb and gutter the road on the low side to collect runoff and channel it into the pit outside the Chinese Restaurant. Funds have been provided in Council’s 2016/2017 Budget to complete resealing Taylors Road from the Chinese Restaurant to, and including, Norfolk Village. Again the project will include curbing on the low side of Taylors Road.

MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR COMMONWEALTH MARINE RESERVES

At its October Council Meeting this week Council agreed a submission be sent in the following terms:

That Council provides a submission outlining the following:

(1) Currently Norfolk Island fishers can legally collect (in pots and nets) spanner crabs etc in waters surrounding Norfolk Island up to the limits of the 40nm x 67nm ‘box'. Rezoning the majority of ‘the box’ from MUZ (Multiple Use Zone) to HPZ (Habitat Protection Zone) will prevent Norfolk Island Fishermen from participating in traditional fishing activities; including using pots and nets to collect crabs outside of the 10 kms x 10km MUZ. We ask that the current traditional fishing activities remain legal in waters surrounding Norfolk Island up to the limits of the 40nm x 67nm ‘box'.

(2) Council is in agreement with the northern part of the reserve maintaining the marine national park zone. (3) Council is in agreement with the southern part of the reserve introducing a new marine national park zone which provides protection over the Vening-Meinsez Fracture Zone. (4) That the recommendation to rezone a large part of Norfolk Islands ‘box’ from MUZ to HPZ and to create a small 10km x 10 km MUZ zone around Norfolk Island be amended to be the same size as our current ‘box'. For clarity, the recommendation would need to be amended to read ‘Change the MUZ to HPZ except for an area of 40nm X 67nm centred around Norfolk Island’.

In summary: In 2012 all Norfolk Island waters with the Norfolk Island box (The Box) were zoned multiple use. The current proposal recommended by the Review Panel is that 98.5% of the area inside The Box is to be rezoned a habitat protection zone. This move is creating wide spread confusion in the community and is not supported by the Norfolk Island Regional Council. The confusion is easily removed by leaving the area inside The Box zoned as a multiple use zone.

BUSINESS CASE TELECOMMUNICATIONS

In relation to Council’s deliberations on the future of Norfolk Island’s Telecommunications, as discussed in the Confidential part of the Ordinary Council meeting, Council resolved the following:

‘In acknowledgement that –

1) Quality telecommunications are imperative to Norfolk Island’s future prosperity especially as a tourism destination; 2) Norfolk Telecom is currently the principle provider of fixed-line ADSL; PSTN; 2G voice and text mobile services on the Island; and 3) The commercial viability of Norfolk Telecom currently is in serious doubt –

in order to improve the commercial viability of Norfolk Telecom going forward Council be provided as a matter of urgency with a business case:

A) To support an application being made to the Commonwealth - (i) For grant funding to upgrade the mobile network to 4G which in 2014 was estimated to cost $3.7 million; and (ii) For grant funding to update the fixed voice system with fixed wireless units with the 4G system at an estimated cost of $640,000; B) To support Norfolk Telecom becoming a Retail Service Provider (RSP) for nbn services as recommended by Senator the Hon Fiona Nash in her letter to Cr Adams of 21 September 2016 thereby allowing Norfolk Telecom to compete with other RSPs to provide nbn services on Norfolk Island as well as to expand its potential market to other parts of regional Australia; C) To support a further application being made to the Commonwealth for grant funding to enable fibre optic connectivity; and D) If the aforementioned are not successful then Council commence discussions with the Minister for Regional Communications, Senator the Honourable Fiona Nash, with the aim of extending the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth) to Norfolk Island by 30 June 2017.

General Manager Norfolk Island Regional Council Quality Row, Kingston, Norfolk Island 2899 telephone: +6723 22001; email: regionalcouncil@nirc.gov.nf

‘Detail of other matters dealt with at the meeting of Council this week can be accessed at http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/NIRC_Council_Meetings/Minutes,’ the Mayor said.

Cr Robin Adams Mayor

21 October 2016

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Child and Family Wellbeing - Why does Norfolk Island Need a Child Welfare Officer?

Friday, October 21, 2016

Without doubt, children are the most precious resource to our community. They are our future, helping to continue our important cultural heritage and bringing fresh new ideas for solving old problems. Raising our children in a safe and nurturing community is a strong value underpinning Norfolk Island life – we know that it takes a village to raise the child, and we know that everyone looks out for the kids. So it may seem puzzling to some people why the island ‘needs’ a Child Welfare Officer, so I’d like to give you a few answers.

Most governments around the world have laws in place for the protection of children. Norfolk Island has had its own Child Welfare Act since 2009 (the Act). This legislation provides a framework for promoting the care, protection and wellbeing of children and young people living on or visiting the island.

The Act recognises that parents and families have core responsibility for providing children and young people with a safe and nurturing environment, and that community and government agencies must work together to help parents and families foster their children’s health, education, developmental needs, spirituality, self-respect, self-reliance and dignity. Our core aim is to keep children safe and protect them from abuse and neglect.

To help administer the Act, the position of Child Welfare Officer (CWO) was established in 2010. The role of this person is to:

 support and help families caring for their children and young people;

 provide the community with information about children’s developmental needs;

 set up community programs to help prevent abuse or neglect of children, or support children in cases where abuse or neglect could be (or is) a risk;

 investigate and manage cases where abuse or neglect has been reported including supporting those who are legally bound to report suspected abuse or neglect (e.g. teachers, nurses, doctors);

 provide ongoing support to people who have left the Child Welfare Officer’s care.

These responsibilities fall into two broad groups – responding to the needs of children and families when things go wrong and children are at risk, as well as strengthening family resilience so our community is raising healthy, well-functioning children.

What’s changed since 1st July?
Put simply, not much yet. The Norfolk Island Child Welfare Act 2009 has not been repealed and remains the primary Child Welfare law for Norfolk Island.
Under the current legislation, the CWO still has legal responsibility for protecting the safety, welfare and well-being of Norfolk Island’s children, and for promoting the capacity of the community to raise healthy children in a safe environment.

The CWO still has responsibility to investigate reports or suspected abuse or neglect, and this includes making sure that people who have a legal obligation to report suspected abuse (such as teachers, doctors and nurses) are well informed about the regulations and procedures they must follow, such as the correct forms to use to report concerns. Members of the public can also report concerns about children at risk direct to the CWO.

Child Welfare Officer Mobile: 51115

21 October 2016

The Child Welfare Office is a state level function being delivered through the Norfolk Island Regional Council, Lotta Jackson, General Manager.

Please 'contact us' for more information.

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