News

The recent Ignite Mini events hosted by Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast, highlighted the growing importance of the Circular Economy in waste management and sustainable practices. Hosted by Ash Sambrooks from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the session focused on the increasing opportunities for businesses and communities across New South Wales to integrate circular economy principles into their operations.

A standout presentation came from Lilli King of The Norfolk Wave initiative, which has been driving real-world circular economy success on Norfolk Island. The initiative’s focus on waste reduction, recycling, and community empowerment is setting an example for others to follow. Norfolk Wave aims to achieve an 80% recycling rate by 2025, and significant strides have already been made. The initiative has made remarkable progress in recycling glass, composting organic waste, and repurposing plastic materials for concrete production, contributing to a more sustainable future for the community.

The session demonstrated that by adopting circular economy principles, businesses can not only reduce their environmental footprint but also create new opportunities for growth and community engagement. As the conversation around sustainable practices continues to gain momentum, initiatives like The Norfolk Wave are proving that real, impactful change is within reach, paving the way for a more sustainable future in waste management.

The Australian Government has announced the creation of a Regional University Study Hub on Norfolk Island, led by Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC). This new initiative, the Country University Centre Norfolk Island (CUCNI), marks the first time island residents will have access to university-level education locally. Part of a $66.9 million national investment, the new hub is one of 10 Regional University Study Hubs designed to bring tertiary education closer to regional, rural, and remote communities. The hub offers new opportunities for young people and mature-aged students, enabling them to study without leaving home and pursue career or educational advancement in their own community. The CUCNI Board, including David Buffett, Sharon Nicol, Mary Christian-Bailey, Margaret Christian, Gaye Evans, Susan Prior, Chris Ronan (CUC), and Madeleine Lawler (RDAMNC), is dedicated to supporting Norfolk Island’s educational growth and ensuring residents have the same access to higher education as those on the mainland.

For additional information, read RDAMNC’s Media Release of the CUCNI.

Norfolk Island, known for its free-ranging cattle, faces serious agricultural challenges due to a 2015 legislation change that restricts the import of live cattle, sheep, and goats. This has led to declining livestock production, increased reliance on imported meat, and rising local beef and lamb prices, alongside concerns about inbreeding. In response, Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC) partnered with stakeholders to implement an Assisted Reproductive Program (ARP). Launched in June 2024, the ARP successfully transferred embryos to over 40 cows and inseminated 30, achieving a 65% success rate for embryo transfers and 40% for artificial insemination, revitalising the island’s cattle industry.

A full copy of RDAMNC’s media release is available here.

Regional Development Mid North Coast and Norfolk Island (RDAMNC & NI) in collaboration with the Norfolk Island Country Universities Board needs the support of the Norfolk Island community with their upcoming application for a Country University Centre on Norfolk Island. The Norfolk Island CUC Board members are David Buffett, Robin Adams, Mary Christian-Bailey, Margaret Christian, Gaye Evans, Sharon Nicol, and Susan Prior.

In November 2023, RDAMNC & NI, in collaboration with the NI CUC Board and Country Universities Centres, applied to the Regional University Study Hub grant funding. Unfortunately, the first attempt was not successful, and feedback received indicated that we need to demonstrate greater support from the Norfolk Island community.

It is expected that another round of funding will be opening in the coming months and so that the best possible application can be made, we need your support! We have prepared a survey for members of the community and businesses to complete, and we are also seeking letters (or emails) of support.

What is the Country University Centre?

• It is a dedicated learning and study space for students pursuing tertiary education – it is NOT a university.
• CUCs are owned, governed, and operated by their local communities through an independent Board of Directors
• The CUC model has been designed to support regional communities to provide equitable access to tertiary education.
• Allows for place-based learning solutions.
• Operate in regional communities where universities cannot or will not go.
• There are 22 CUCs around Australia.
  More information about Country University Centre can be found at https://www.cuc.edu.au/.

What are the benefits of a CUC for Norfolk Island?

The following are just some of the benefits to Norfolk Island if a CUC application is successful:

• Supported learning environment for students who do not wish to live in Australia (or elsewhere) to complete post-secondary education.
• Greater opportunities for residents who wish to complete further education or ‘up-skilling’, but current family, employment, or financial barriers preclude it.
• Builds capability and capacity of Norfolk Island to meet the skills needs locally without requirement to source from offshore.
• Businesses will have greater local support for apprentices and trainees undertaking the theory component of their training.
• Operation of a CUC on Norfolk Island will provide employment opportunities for residents of Norfolk Island with two staff members required.
• The CUC model is founded on place-based solutions and can be adapted to suit the learning and education needs of Norfolk Island.

How can you help?

There two ways in which you, or your business or organisation can help:

Complete the survey on the following page, or directly to SurveyMonkey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/333RRHM. Completed copies of the survey on the following page can be emailed to Dianne Wall at operations@rdamnc.org.au (photo of completed form is fine) or dropped off at Norfolk Island Realty or the Knowledge and Learning Centre (KLC) for submission to RDAMNC&NI. Note: The KLC is open from 1.00pm to 4.00pm Monday to Friday – completed surveys can be slid under the door outside those hours.

By writing a letter or email of support and submitting it to Dianne Wall at operations@rdamnc.org.au. In writing the letter of support, you may wish to use some of the points above as a reference point as well as any additional benefits to you personally or professionally.

We need to be able to demonstrate as much local support as possible. If you are unsure about the CUC and would like more information, please reach out to Dianne Wall (operations@rdamnc.org.au) or to one of your local CUC Board Members.

Read the Media Release here

RDA Norfolk Island (RDANI) are excited to announce that we will be delivering an information session on Cyber Safety / Scam Awareness, in partnership with NBN Co and Women’s Advocacy Group Norfolk Island (WAGNI) on 26th June at the Knowledge and Learning Centre from 5.30pm.

Following recent visits by RDANI team members, feedback from the Norfolk Island community has highlighted the need for business and community support around Cyber Safety / Scams Awareness. RDANI reached out to NBN Co for assistance in delivering an initial information session to the Norfolk Island community and they came on board straight away.

“Unfortunately, we live in a world where cyber-attacks and scams are becoming more frequent and much more sophisticated, and it leaves all of us increasingly vulnerable. RDANI is pleased to bring this initial information session to Norfolk Island, and we hope that from this session we will be able to further determine the needs of the community and opportunity for further workshops in this area”, said Dianne Wall Acting RDAMNC CEO.

Please refer to the flyer for information on how to register. If you are unable to use the link or QR code, please email your registration to operations@rdamnc.org.au. We look forward to seeing you there!

Acting CEO, Dianne Wall, will again be visiting Norfolk Island in late June to continue the delivery of current projects and to engage with the Norfolk Island community. If you would like to meet with Dianne on her next visit, please reach out to her at operations@rdamnc.org.au.

For further updates and information on what the RDA Norfolk Island team are up to, be sure to like our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RDANorfolkIsland).

We are very pleased to announce that we have been able to facilitate the introduction of an assisted reproduction program for the cattle on Norfolk Island. We’d like to thank the Hon. Kristy McBain, MP and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts, Breeder Genetics, Norfolk Island Cattle Association and the Norfolk Island Regional Council for making this possible.

A full copy of the media release can be viewed here.

RDA Norfolk Island (RDANI) are excited to announce that following our recent consultation on the draft Regional Plan and subsequent feedback received from the Norfolk Island community we are now able to launch the completed Norfolk Island Regional Plan.  RDANI are very appreciative of the engagement and feedback we have received in the development of our first regional plan for Norfolk Island and are looking forward to being able to deliver projects with Norfolk Island that align with this plan. 

For a full copy of the media release, please click here.

A full copy of the Norfolk Island Regional Plan can be found here.

Please see an update on current RDA Norfolk Island activities and projects in our latest media release.