Administrator of Christmas
and Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Community Newsletter
Issue 25 – 28 May 2021
In this issue:
Welcome Message
Latest News
- Delivering on vital infrastructure upgrades for CI and CKI
- Emerging Curators Program continues on CKI
- Residential aged care services moving forward for the IOT
- Upcoming visits from Western Australian Government agencies
- VARA to visit CI and CKI
- Indian Ocean Territories by the numbers in 2019-20
Community Bulletins
- Assistant Minister Media Release – Way forward on IOT fisheries management (English, Chinese, Malay and Cocos Malay)
- Joint Media Release – Australia to expand marine parks
- Assistant Minister Media Release – Budget 2021: Delivering for the Indian Ocean Territories
- Flying Fish Cove masterplan release
Community Activities
- The Family Shoveller Band - well worth the wait
Public Announcements
- Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation seeking expressions of interest for membership
- Christmas Island National Park Community Update - Cat Eradication - Introduction of Felixer Grooming Traps
- Virgin Australia – IOT Bulletin – IOT Excess Baggage Update
- Grant opportunities identified by the Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation (RDO)
Welcome Message
I would like to begin by sending my best wishes to all those who celebrated Hari Raya Puasa in the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT). This is a very special and highly-anticipated occasion for many of our friends and neighbours in our communities, and one that not only marks an end to a month of fasting but is a time of strengthening of bonds between family members – something which we can all embrace, whether we celebrate Hari Raya or not.
We were sorry Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, the Hon. Nola Marino, was unable to visit the IOT as scheduled last month due to the COVID-19 situation on the mainland. While a future visit is planned, the Assistant Minister continues work to deliver outcomes for our communities, as demonstrated in the Federal Budget 2021-22.
The Australian Government has announced its plans to establish two new Marine Parks around the IOT, covering up to 740,000 square kilometres of waters. The Government is providing $5.4 million to support local jobs and economic growth associated with the marine park helping our community rebuild and grow into the long-term.
You will have the opportunity to engage with Government around the establishment of the two new Marine Parks, as the Government is opening consultation with Island communities, stakeholders and the commercial fishing industry. No one understands the extraordinary and unique natural environment of the IOT better than its residents, which is why your ideas and opinions are necessary to ensure we are protecting this international marine treasure for decades to come.
We have also seen the Federal Budget for 2021 commit an additional $2.3 million to support diversification and growth across Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI). This will assist with improved water security and waste management, along with continued support for critical services and infrastructure investment, with a new grants program to trial innovative agricultural methods on CI and CKI.
The Australian Government’s focus on economic diversification and sustainability for the IOT heralds an exciting time ahead for our communities, as we continue to deliver on the initiatives you identified for the future of the IOT in the CI and CKI Strategic Plans.
We have also had a recent visit from the consultant team around the delivery of the Residential Aged Care project for CI. You can read more about their visit in this newsletter.
As always I would like to thank you all for your patience and understanding as we slowly emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Your wellbeing and safety remains our first priority, and I am encouraged to see things returning to a new normal with the future looking bright for our beautiful islands.
If you would like to find out more about anything in the newsletter or you would like a hardcopy, please contact my office. Let us know if you want us to include your upcoming community event or activity in the newsletter. Stories (including photos) about recent IOT community events are very welcome and can be emailed to IOTAdministrator@infrastructure.gov.au.
Mrs Natasha Griggs
Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Latest News
Delivering on vital infrastructure upgrades for CI and CKI
We are continuing to see significant progress on infrastructure upgrades across the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT), with shovels in the ground and contractors engaged across a number of priority community projects.
We are making exciting headway on the upgrades to the Christmas Island (CI) health facility, with trenching for replacement of the front, overhead power line well under way. The power line will be replaced with an underground cable, which has been manufactured in Sydney and is currently being shipped to CI on large cable drums.
Once installed, the underground cable will have an expected life of more than 30 years and will reduce the risk of storms affecting the power supply to the health facility.
Other power works include installation of new high voltage switches, known as ring main units, on the corner of Quarry Rd and Phosphate Hill Rd, ensuring a safer and more reliable electricity network.
Works to the Territory Day Park nature trail are also progressing well. Fibre-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) grating has been installed on top of the existing North End Access timber boardwalk.
The southern access boardwalk, which was in poor condition, has been demolished. New bearers and posts have been installed and concrete footings poured.
The south end boardwalk will be completed shortly followed by works on the south end stairs.
Other key projects on Home Island, CKI that are well under way include dredging the channel to the jetty, construction of community residential property and the renovation of the retail precinct area.
We will continue to provide updates on these vital upgrades as they progress.
Emerging Curators Program continues on CKI
To continue their delivery of the Emerging Curators Program on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Tim Eastwood, of Kultura Project Services, and Polly Smith, from WA Museum will be on-island from 1 – 11 June to continue work on this local history initiative.
During their visit, WA Museum will be looking into:
- preliminary organisation and storage of the Lionel Allen Collection on West Island, and the Home Island Museum Collection
- installation of exhibition infrastructure (hanging rail) at the Home Island Museum.
Professional development will continue for the five Emerging Curators Program participants using these two on-island collections to deliver hands-on modules in museum practice.
The objective of the trip is to provide skills and knowledge transfer as well as tangible legacy infrastructure at Home Island Museum for future sharing of local stories.
WA Museum services in the IOT are funded by the Australian Government.
Residential aged care services moving forward for the IOT
The delivery of a new residential aged care facility for the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) has taken a significant step forward with the recent on-island visit of consultants, APP and SPH Architects at the end of last month.
A new residential aged care facility was identified as a key priority in the Christmas Island (CI) Strategic Plan, and will ensure that CI residents have access to high-level care for their ageing community.
The consultants have a wealth of experience delivering health care projects, with a particular speciality in aged care services.
The consultants were on island to understand both the unique challenges and opportunities in the delivery of residential aged care on CI. Both the remote location and cultural diversity will require that services be targeted and fit-for-purpose to the IOT, with APP and SPH excited about the possibilities moving forward. The project team took the opportunity to look at a range of prospective locations and available resources on CI and even attended the Stay on Your Feet class on Friday morning.
While on island, the consultant team met with the IOT Health Service (IOTHS) Community Advisory Committee (CAC), as well as the IOTHS leadership team, followed by the Community Consultative Committee (CCC), comprising representatives from the Shire of CI, CI Women’s Association, Phosphate Resources Limited, CI Neighbourhood Centre, Chinese Literary Association as well as representatives from the Islamic, Malay and Chinese communities.
This community engagement will help inform the blueprint for the residential aged care facility. The next steps for the project are to establish the preferred option for a facility (including how many beds, where it will be located, level of service) and then commence work on the concept designs.
We look forward to sharing these with the community when they are available, anticipated to be before the end of this year.
Upcoming visits from Western Australian Government agencies
Over the coming weeks, a number of Western Australian (WA) government agencies will be visiting Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI). This is undertaken as part of the Service Delivery Arrangements (SDAs) between the WA and Australian governments for the delivery of fit-for-purpose services to the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT).
From 18 – 22 May, the WA Department of Transport was on CI to provide maritime safety training and community education. Then, from 21 – 28 May, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries delivered a series of golf clinics, skill workshops, coach education and wider opportunities for children and adults from the CI community, and supported the CI Golf Club 22 – 23 May.
Later, from 28 May – 1 June, the Department of Transport will be conducting annual vehicle inspections and will quality assurance check the CI authorised inspection process.
There will be a number of additional visits in June with the Department of Corrective Services undertaking the Court Circuit from 11 – 15 June, and the Department of Premier and Cabinet engaging in meetings with stakeholders from across the CI community during the same period.
From 11 – 18 June, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will be on CI delivering fisheries-related schools and community engagement programs during Seaweek.
This will be followed by a joint visit from the Health and Disability Services Complaints Office (HaDSCO) and Equal Opportunity Commission from 18 – 25 June. During this time the IOT community will have the opportunity to meet HaDSCO representatives in person to discuss issues and complaints and to learn more about their services including the management of complaints about health, disability and mental health services.
On CKI, between 14 – 25 May, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Invasive Species Division conducted research on the Macao Paperwasp, Tramp Ants and Drywood Termites. This coincided with the visit from the Department of Transport from
15 – 18 May which delivered maritime safety training and community education to the CKI community.
WA government services in the IOT are funded by the Australian Government.
VARA to visit CI and CKI
As part of its delivery of air services to the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT), Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) representative Tim Cox will be visiting Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) in May and June, to meet in person with stakeholders and community representatives.
Mr Cox will be accompanied by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, and will be discussing issues of interest to the CI and CKI communities around air services to the IOT.
We have recently scheduled a number of additional IOT air services to help meet continued strong demand for both freight and passenger services to CI and CKI. The Government will continue to monitor and adjust IOT air service capacity as required over coming months.
The Australian Government underwrites air services to the IOT as they are not commercially viable.
VARA and the department are visiting CI 25 – 28 May and CKI from 15 – 18 June.
Community Bulletins
- Assistant Minister Media Release – Way forward on IOT fisheries management (English, Chinese, Malay and Cocos Malay)
- Joint Media Release – Australia to expand marine parks
- Assistant Minister Media Release – Budget 2021: Delivering for the Indian Ocean Territories
- Flying Fish Cove masterplan release
Community Activities
The Family Shoveller Band – well worth the wait
The Family Shoveller Band delighted audiences across the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) and Christmas Island (CI) during March and April.
The family entertained the community with their unique sound of reggae, rock and pop fusion and powerful lyrics about Karajarri culture and growing up south of Broome in the Bidyadanga Community – the largest remote Aboriginal community in Western Australia.
Having been chosen by IOT presenters for the 2020 IOT tour, it was fantastic to finally have them on island after almost two years without any performing arts events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During their tour, the Family Shoveller Band delivered four performances and three workshops across 14 days, captivating a total of 740 audience members, with 120 people participating in the workshops across CKI and CI.
On CI, their school performance coincided with Harmony Day and was incorporated as part of the day’s activities. As well as holding a number of workshops, parents were invited by the school to come and watch the band in concert. In total there were about 350 who enjoyed the show, many of whom had never seen traditional Aboriginal dancing and singing.
In addition to their live, in-person performances, the band were interviewed by
“DJ Gypsy” on 6RCI CI Community Radio, where they discussed their tour, music, song and dance, interspersed with live on-air performances from the band members and local musicians.
I would like to thank the organisers and sponsors of the Family Shoveller Band for the much-anticipated tour of the IOT. Music and storytelling is at the heart of our communities here on CI and CKI, and it was wonderful for us to not only experience the rich Karajarri culture through the wonderful music of the Family Shoveller Band, but to share and showcase our own unique cultural heritage in return.
Public Announcements
Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation seeking expressions of interest for membership
The Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation (RDO) is inviting expressions of interest for membership from residents of the Indian Ocean Territories.
The RDO is a not-for-profit organisation committed to the development of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. It manages projects funded by the Australian Government, including for the implementation of the Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands Strategic Plans.
Over the past year, these projects provided support to the local tourism industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most notably, the RDO led the filming and broadcasting of a successful series of stories on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands on the Destination WA TV programme on Channel 9. The RDO has also commissioned the development of a destination marketing plan and comprehensive marketing strategy for tourism in the Indian Ocean Territories . The RDO has recently signed off on a partnership with Phosphate Resources Limited to develop a concept plan for mountain-biking trails on Christmas Island.
The RDO’s achievements are testament to its enthusiastic, passionate and diverse membership. I would like to thank all RDO members for their assistance and support over the past year.
I particularly thank Andrea Selvey, former Secretary of the RDO and CEO of the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands for her valuable contributions, unwavering dedication and passion for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and the RDO. We wish her the best as she takes on her new role in Carnavon, Western Australia.
In accordance with the RDO’s constitution, I am now formally calling for expressions of interest to fill vacating voluntary community representative positions commencing Thursday, 1 July 2021. Our constitution allows for vacating members to re-nominate for an additional term, however it must be in line with this formal expression of interest process.
If you reside in the Indian Ocean Territories and are committed to the development of our communities’, I encourage you to register your interest in joining the RDO by completing the application form and email it to rdo@indianoceanterritories.com.au along with a copy of your curriculum vitae by 4:00pm Christmas Island time Friday, 18 June 2021.
Cat Eradication – Introduction of Felixer Grooming Traps
A collaborative program to remove stray and feral cats is continuing across Christmas Island in a bid to preserve our spectacular native wildlife and reduce health risks to our community.
Introduction of Felixer Grooming Traps to support our existing baiting, trapping & nocturnal firearm efforts:
- Felixer grooming traps were first trialled on Christmas Island in 2019 (non-toxic, camera only mode);
- Results demonstrated this to be an effective method of feral cat removal across different habitats on the island;
- The traps detected and identified feral cats as ‘targets’, while humans, vehicles, crabs, rats and native birds were detected and identified as ‘non-targets’.
- These traps will be effective in certain areas and at certain times of the year when and where other removal methods are not.
- These traps will also be effective at resource points that feral cats visit such as the refuse tip.
- Fifteen new Felixer Grooming Traps have arrived on island.
- These units will be initially deployed in ‘non-toxic camera mode’ to confirm non-target specificity again before switching to toxic mode.
- Only trained and authorised persons are permitted to operate the Felixer traps and 1080 toxin cartridges.
- Before switching to toxic mode, key stakeholders will be notified and a public notice will be distributed by email, social media and the Shire Islander newsletter.
- A map of the locations of Felixers will show where to avoid – please do not walk past the warning signage.
Felixers were developed and patented by Ecological Horizons with assistance from several Non-Government Organisations and Government grants as a novel, humane and automated tool to help control feral cats and foxes. Although feral cats are often reluctant to take baits or enter traps unless hungry, they fastidiously groom, creating a pathway to instinctive toxin delivery. Field trials of Felixers have been underway since 2015 and are currently underway in all Australian States and Territories. An Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) research permit as well as a WA Health poisons use permit has been approved to operate Felixers on Christmas Island.
What are Felixer Grooming Traps?
- Felixer Grooming Traps are cat detection and toxin-dispensing devices that contain an array of imaging sensors that identify feral cats, and distinguish them from other animal species, based on their morphology (e.g. longer legs than most native species) and gait.
- Images are captured of any animal that moves in front of the trap and algorithms process the sensor data to identify the species as either a target or non-target.
- If a target animal (feral cat) is detected, the Felixer ejects a cartridge of toxic gel onto the hind quarters of the target species. When hit by the gel, feral cats instinctively groom the area and ingest a lethal dose of toxin.
- Each cartridge contains 8mg of 1080monofluoroacetate toxin.Each Felixer trap is double locked and located in areas away from general public access, outside the 500m township exclusion zone, with warning signage.
- Each unit is generally powered by solar panels and a 12v battery.Anupside -down wheelie bin is used to protect the trapfrom curious robber crabs!
You can find more information and videos about the Felixer Grooming Trap by visiting:
Thank you to our collaborative project and research partners and the local community who have supported and helped with the success of this program so far, especially responsible cat owners.
Funding for this program is made possible through the Director of National Parks, the Threatened Species Commissioner, and an environmental offset by Christmas Island Phosphates.
For further information about the Felixer Grooming Traps and the ongoing eradication program please contact Samantha Flakus at Christmas Island National Park (08) 9164 8700.
Photo 1: A Felixer Grooming Trap with a ‘crab-proof’ upturned wheelie bin and solar panel on top, trialled in 2019 along the Winfred Beach Track. Photo 2: A feral cat detected and identified as a target in 2019, in a CIP mine lease area at South Point – the dots on the cat are the laser sensors detecting it walking past.
Grant opportunities identified by the Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation (RDO)
Please find below the grant funding opportunities that have been identified by the RDO that may be of interest to our IOT communities.
Lingiari Powering Communities Program 2021
The Powering Communities Program is designed to assist community organisations to improve their energy efficiency practices and lower their energy bills, with funding available for local energy saving projects. This funding can be used for energy generation and storage projects including solar photovoltaic panels and battery storage; new split system air conditioners to replace some older types of units; bathroom and kitchen hot water heaters; replacement of non-LED with LED lighting; and other activities including energy audits and measuring equipment.
The closing date for Expressions of Interest is 9 July 2021, and incorporated not-for-profit organisations are eligible to apply. Further information is available from the Member for Lingiari’s website. http://www.warrensnowdon.com/2021/05/12/lingiari-powering-communities-program-2021
Saluting their Service Commemorative Grants Program
The Saluting their Service Commemorative Grants Program is designed to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage; involve people around the country in a wide range of projects and activities that highlight the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel in wars, conflicts and peace operations; and promote appreciation and understanding of the experiences of service and the roles that those who served have played in shaping the nation.
The closing date for the next round is 10 June 2021, and a wide range of entities are eligible to apply, including companies, incorporated and unincorporated associations, cooperatives and local governments. Further information is available from the Community Grants Hub. https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants/saluting-service
