The Australian Government has paused the Christmas Island Strategic Assessment (CISA) while significant policy and law reforms are ongoing.
The Government remains committed to exploring options to support sustainable economic development and continuing to reduce structural barriers to diversification on Christmas Island. We will continue working with the Christmas Island community to achieve positive economic, social and environmental outcomes.”
Background
On 15 February 2019, the Minister for the Environment and the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories entered into a statutory agreement under section 146 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Strategic Assessment Agreement outlined a commitment to undertake a strategic assessment, to protect and conserve Christmas Island's unique and valuable natural environment while also supporting economic development.
Additional information on the Christmas Island Strategic Assessment and the strategic assessment process can be found on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's website.
Christmas Island Community Values
In February 2022, the Department undertook community values consultation on Christmas Island to inform development of the Christmas Island Strategic Assessment Program. The Department consulted with the community, industry, business and the Shire of Christmas Island about local heritage values, social values, development opportunities, and conservation values. This included consultation on whether listed heritage places were considered important to the community at a local, regional or national level.