RDO Community Newsletter - December 2021

Welcome to the first edition of the Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation (RDO) community newsletter.

The RDO is a non-profit group based in the Indian Ocean Territories. We’re part of the Regional Development Australia network of government-funded organisations serving the regions across Australia, working with all levels of government, business and community groups to support economic and workforce development, local procurement and strategic regional planning, and informing government programs and infrastructure investments.

Our Committee is comprised of members from Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and our purpose is to facilitate sustainable development in the territories.

It’s been a busy year for us at the RDO, so we wanted to let you know what we’ve been working on.

What we’ve done this year

Developed the Christmas Island CV
Progressed implementation of the Supporting economic activity and diversification on Christmas Island project
Developed the Destination Management Plan and Comprehensive Marketing Strategy for the Indian Ocean Territories
Funded the Destination WA television campaign, with implementing partners Christmas Island Tourism Association (CITA) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Tourism Association (CKITA), as part of the Tourism Promotion Package for the Indian Ocean Territories
Developed the Indian Ocean Fest - a major new tourism initiative for the Indian Ocean Territories
Partnered with Australian Traveller magazine to promote the Indian Ocean Fest
Monitored and reviewed the Christmas Island Strategic Plan
Funded the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Plastic Recycling Assessment report
Assisted the Administrator and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications to develop a freight briefing paper for the Assistant Minister, looking at ways to improve air freight in the region
Advocated successfully for inclusion of the region in the Northern Australia Development funding program
Advocated successfully for projects in the Indian Ocean Territories to be eligible for the Northern Australian Investment Facility
Supported the Indian Ocean Territories Marine Parks initiative
Advocated successfully for geographic inclusion of the Indian Ocean Territories in the new Cyclone Reinsurance Bill
Provided funding to complete community infrastructure projects on Christmas Island
Maintained our Indian Ocean Territories website, providing information to visitors and potential investors

What’s next

We have an exciting year coming up. Read on for more about who we are, what we care about, and what we‘re working on.

RDO Key Achievements 2021 and Priorities 2022

Strategic theme 1: Facilitate access to funding for local projects

Grant funding and finance for local entities

In 2021 we identified and advocated for grant funding and finance opportunities for projects in the Indian Ocean Territories, and disseminated information about opportunities to the local community.

In a major win for the region, we successfully advocated for inclusion of the Indian Ocean Territories in the definition of Northern Australia for the Northern Australian Development Program and the Northern Australia Business and Community Growth Program.

We also successfully advocated for projects in the region to be eligible for the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility. This enables the benefits afforded under these programs to flow into the region. This is the first time we have been included in programs for Northern Australia, and it is a huge outcome for the territories.

We have also added a new Grants section to our website, and are currently offering access to an online grant writing course. We will continue our work in this area and in 2022, and are organising grant writing workshops to be held on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in March 2022.

Strategic theme 2: Create opportunities for local jobs and local businesses

Local procurement

In 2021 we developed and launched the Christmas Island CV, with registrations from more than 100 local businesses and organisations. The Christmas Island CV is a live directory, with businesses able to add and amend their details as required. In 2022, we will work with the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands to incorporate the Cocos CV into this new format, and both CVs will be accessible from a joint website.

We also continued to identify opportunities to grow local jobs by advocating for the Christmas Island CV and the Cocos CV to be included in all government procurement packages in the Indian Ocean Territories, including for the upcoming airfield upgrade at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and by providing the CVs to private investors where possible.

If you are a local business or contractor then please register with the Cocos CV or Christmas CV so you can get the benefits.

The RDO uses locals too

We care about using local people for local projects, and we’re committed to creating local jobs. We ourselves hired locally, via the engagement of two local project consultants, one based on Christmas Island and one in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, to manage and implement the RDO’s projects. We have also engaged the services of local people and businesses for project assistance; web design development and maintenance; and as the Local Event Coordinator and Travel Booking Partner for the Indian Ocean Fest.

Do you have specialist skills and want to help us achieve our goals? Get in touch!

Upcoming opportunities

The upcoming proclamation of the marine parks at Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 2022 will provide significant opportunities and we will focus on assisting our local communities to capitalise on these opportunities through capacity-building initiatives.

Solutions to major issues experienced by local businesses

Freight is one of the biggest ongoing issues that affects everyone in the region. Due to the importance of this issue, we have taken it on as a key RDO project and are currently engaged in consultations to improve freight services in the territories. As part of this work, our Project Manager worked with the Department to develop a series of key recommendations to improve air freight services, as a basis for consultations with key stakeholders. These recommendations will form the basis for new freight changes coming soon.

The ability to access insurance is also a huge barrier to economic development in the region. We have successfully advocated for the inclusion of the Indian Ocean Territories in the proposed Australian Government reinsurance pool for cyclones and related flood damage. In 2022 we will continue our work in this area.

Strategic theme 3: Support the diversification of the regional economy

Indian Ocean Territories Tourism Action Plan

We have continued to implement measures in the Indian Ocean Territories Tourism Action Plan with funding support from the Australian Government. This work has enabled development of the Destination Management Plan and Comprehensive Marketing Strategy for the Indian Ocean Territories; our contribution to the development of a concept plan for mountain-biking trails on Christmas Island; and our provision of seed funding for a new event for the region.

Indian Ocean Fest

In very exciting news, we are providing seed funding and developing the Indian Ocean Fest – a new high-line event that will be held on Christmas Island in June 2022, and which, if successful, will also be held on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in future years.

The Indian Ocean Fest will target high-value travellers and first-time visitors to the region. We have recently reached out to local operators, and we want to work with as many local operators as possible to help deliver the program of activities, and ensure they benefit from the event.

Tourism Promotion Package for the Indian Ocean Territories

As part of funding for the Tourism Promotion Package for the Indian Ocean Territories, we funded the very successful Destination WA television campaign. The remaining funding will be committed based on the recommendations in the Destination Management Plan and Comprehensive Marketing Strategy for the Indian Ocean Territories.

The targeting of the priority travellers for the region, adventurous travellers, will be the focus of promotions. Integral to the implementation of the strategy is a partnership with Australian Traveller to promote the Indian Ocean Fest. The creation of new imagery for Christmas Island has also been funded under the package.

Walking trails

We have progressed the implementation of the projects to develop walking trails and improve signage in the Settlement area. The Conceptual Design Report for walking trails has been developed, and provided the basis for consultations held recently with relevant stakeholders.

Strategic theme 4: Identify and address barriers to investment in the region

Strategic Plans

In 2021 we commenced the monitoring and review of the Christmas Island Strategic Plan. We will continue this work in 2022 and also begin monitoring and review of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Strategic Plan.

We also provided funding to complete community infrastructure projects on Christmas Island that were identified in the Strategic Plan, including new sport facilities at the cricket ground and an expansion at the daycare centre. Similar community projects on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands were funded and completed in 2020.

To benefit and align the territories as a whole, we will also develop an Indian Ocean Territories Strategic Regional Plan – a regional plan that covers both of the islands at a higher strategic level. The proposed development of a Strategic Regional Plan will identify existing and emerging constraints and opportunities across the Indian Ocean Territories to ensure that the region can achieve the best outcomes.

Providing intelligence on regional development issues

As well as contributing to consultations on freight and insurance, we have also provided submissions to two Joint Standing Committee inquiries about communications infrastructure, and economic, social and environmental sustainability, in the Indian Ocean Territories. In 2022 we will continue to provide information and advice with a regional perspective to relevant Ministers, Australian Government agencies and the Australian Parliament.

Strategic theme 5: Support environmental sustainability initiatives in the region

Waste management solutions

Something we all care about in the islands is managing our waste better, so we supported initiatives to progress waste management solutions via the funding of an assessment of marine plastic debris recycling by the University of Western Australia for the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands. While this report was undertaken on and for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a number of findings and recommendations are also applicable to Christmas Island.

In 2022 we will support the Australian Government and local government in the development and implementation of waste management strategies for the Indian Ocean Territories.

Renewable energy solutions

In 2022 we aim to identify barriers and solutions to progress renewable energy projects in the Indian Ocean Territories, and to support community led or local proponent renewable energy projects.

Climate change mitigations

In 2022 we aim to support research to understand the potential local impacts from climate change, and measures to address these impacts.

RDO Structure and Committee

The RDO is a non-profit incorporated body under the Associations Act 2015 (WA). Our corporate governance and membership structure is defined in our Constitution. We are also bound by the Regional Development Australia (RDA) Charter.

Our work this year could not have been done without the support of our Committee members. The Committee comprises a broad range of ages and experience, cultural diversity, and an equal gender mix. The group comes from both the public and private sectors, including private community members and local government on both Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Current RDO Committee

Chairperson: Natasha Griggs (IOT)
Treasurer: Farzian Zainal (CI)
Secretary: Thomas Battcher (CKI)
Member: Khaliesha Amin (CI)
Member: Scott de Kruijff (CI)
Member: David McKinney (CKI)
Member: Kelli Small (CKI)

RDO Project Office

David Eizenberg, Chief of Staff, Office of the Administrator
Bianca McKinney (CKI) and Lee Rohan (CI) Project Managers, and Katrina Yeap (CI) Project Assistant
Support from Linda Anticich and Belinda Van Zundert, Executive Officers, Office of the Administrator

Sincere thanks to our Committee and Project Office team for their efforts. We would like to acknowledge our previous Committees, which excelled at building and supporting local communities. We are looking forward to working with our new Committee in 2022, whose enthusiasm and skills will be invaluable in achieving our goals in the coming year.