Following a delay due to Coronavirus, community consultations on the immediate to long-term shared vision for Norfolk Island will begin on Monday (8 June), with the release of an Island-wide survey.

The scope of the planned community consultation on the Norfolk Island 2030: Sustaining Our Future plan has expanded to include the Island's immediate to short-term goals in response to the broader economic impacts of COVID-19.

I am pleased to announce the Australian Government is supporting an additional flight between Norfolk Island and Brisbane, with the new schedule commencing 13 October.

Air New Zealand currently provides two passenger flights arriving on Norfolk Island each week, one from Sydney and one from Brisbane.

The additional flight from Brisbane, which will bring the schedule to three flights a week, will help meet increased passenger demand and reflects the importance of bringing travellers back to Norfolk Island.

The Australian Government has contracted Transam Argosy to provide ongoing maintenance and operation of Norfolk Island's Passenger Transfer Vessels (PTVs).

The contract was awarded to Transam Argosy following an open tender process. The contract will support future cruise ship visits, with a fee paid per scheduled visit to the operators.

Due to public safety risk, Emily Bay Bridge will be temporarily closed to all traffic for a short period commencing next week while critical safety works are undertaken to repair the bridge.

Cracks in the bridge structure were found during a routine inspection in late November. A subsequent engineering inspection and report has now confirmed there is a risk the convict stone arch beneath the bridge will collapse.

I encourage community members to contribute to the review of Norfolk Island's emergency management, with the commencement of the consultations to support the review.

This review is not in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a review of the broader emergency management arrangements. In December last year, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories Nola Marino announced funding for an independent review of the emergency management governance arrangements on Norfolk Island to ensure they best meet the needs of the local community.

The Australian Government wants to hear from the Norfolk Island community on options for the long-term management and infrastructure of Norfolk Island ports, with the next stage of consultations set to commence.

The Norfolk Island Ports Management Strategy is being developed by Grosvenor Performance Group (Grosvenor) and Consult Marine to ensure reliable and safe port operations are identified to support the economic wellbeing and sustainability of the Norfolk Island community.

I am pleased to advise the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (the Department) has extended the air freight service contract with TOLL until 30 September 2020.

This will see a TOLL air freight service flight arrive on Norfolk Island, on average, every 14 days.

Air New Zealand is also continuing to deliver passenger and air freight services, underwritten by the Australian Government, to Norfolk Island.

Kingston Pier Channel Construction project consultants, Advisian, will be on Norfolk Island from 17 to 21 February to meet with regular users of Kingston Pier and begin new technical investigations to inform designs to deepen and widen the channel.

Advisian has been engaged by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (the Department) as the design services contractor for the project which aims to improve safety and access for users, and ensure it meets required navigation standards.

In recognition of Norfolk Island's ongoing vulnerability to the risks posed by COVID-19, the emergency declaration and travel ban currently in place will be extended until the end of June.

Extending the declaration now gives a level of certainty to community members, businesses and potential visitors to the island, to support their planning.

Norfolk Island currently has no known cases of COVID-19.