Short-term changes to Norfolk Island's regular passenger air service schedule provided by Air New Zealand (Air NZ) will be in place between 1 September 2020 and 24 October 2020.

During this period, passenger flight services between Norfolk Island and Brisbane will operate on Monday and Friday rather than Saturday and Tuesday, which is one day earlier than the usual schedule. Passengers currently booked on the Tuesday service from Norfolk Island to Brisbane will be re-booked on the Monday prior, with no re-booking fee charged.

Together with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, I would like to thank the range of stakeholders from the Norfolk Island community for their input to discussions on the proposed Kingston Pier Channel construction project.

The proposal, to deepen and widen the Kingston Pier channel, was raised with Assistant Minister Marino during her visit to Norfolk Island in late 2019.

The purpose would be to improve access and safety, and to ensure the Pier meets required navigation standards.

From 1 January 2021, law changes will improve registration processes for births and deaths and make it easier for Norfolk Islanders to register a change of name.

The amendments to the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages Act 1963 (NI) update and create a simpler process for registration of changes of name and set out the requirements for the registration of a birth or death.

In line with the Australian Government's ongoing commitment to preserving Norfolk Island's rich heritage, Cosmos Archaeology has been commissioned to undertake an inspection of the HMS Sirius wreck site.

The remains of the HMS Sirius, flagship of the First Fleet, are of significant archeological potential for research into the early migration of Europeans to Australia. The remains of the Sirius and associated artefacts represent a “time capsule” of the late 18th century period.

I am pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) Advisory Committee.

The Australian Government is seeking expressions of interest from local businesses on Norfolk Island to undertake repairs to the Cemetery Bay retaining wall.

The retaining wall was constructed in 1998 with a timber post-and-plank configuration from locally sourced, milled and tanalised eucalypt timber.

Three of the five vertical posts spanning an approximately 12 metre section of the wall have rotated from their original position and require straightening.