As Chair of the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) Regional Development Organisation (RDO), I am pleased to announce the RDO is calling for expressions of interest from local not-for-profit (NFP) groups seeking funding for consulting support to assist in their preparation of applications to round five of the Australian Government's Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).

I can confirm that following a significant rockfall event at the Kampong at 9am this morning, that access to Flying Fish Cove is restricted to support the emergency response.

The rockfall occurred behind Block 409, also known to locals as behind Metro's (Billy's shop).

The 2019-20 Indian Ocean Territories Health Service (IOTHS) Annual Report showcases the outstanding work done by the committed local health services team to provide high quality, targeted and contemporary health services throughout an extremely challenging year.

As part of the Australian Government’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT), Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, the Honourable Nola Marino MP, is extending the declared states of emergency (SoE) in Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) up until 17 June 2021.

I hope everyone has had a restful and peaceful Easter break. I am taking the opportunity to have a short period of annual leave returning on 14 April 2021.

Aaron O’Neill – the Assistant Secretary of the Indian Ocean Territories Branch in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications – will be acting Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and undertaking my official duties as Administrator.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 1. As a result of this advice, the Cocos Emergency Management Executive Committee has met and supported the recommendation from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) Territory Controller to enact the Cyclone Action Plan.

The Australian Government is continuing its current relief measures to support electricity customers across Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, as part of the ongoing response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and its economic impacts.

I am seeking Expressions of Interest from Christmas Island residents who wish to contribute to the design, delivery, measurement and evaluation of health services across the Indian Ocean Territories as part of the Indian Ocean Territories Health Service Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

Following yesterday’s significant rockfall event at the Kampong at 9am (10 March 2021), access to Flying Fish Cove remains restricted to support the emergency response.

Given the ongoing risk, the restrictions will remain in place until Monday, 15 March for people’s safety, while we await assessment by a specialist engineer. The engineer is scheduled to arrive tomorrow to commence the risk assessment.