Number: 03/2025. Date: 22/12/2025.

Vision Statement

Working together to create a thriving future for our island communities

愿景声明 - 携手合作为我们的岛屿社区创造繁荣的未来

Pernyataan visi - Bekerjasama untuk membina masa depan yang berkembang untuk masyarakat pulu kita

Pernyataan wawasa - Sama-sama berusaha mewujudkan masa depan yang berkembang maju untuk komuniti pulau kita

Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation

Newsletter – December 2025 Edition

Message from the Chair

Over recent months, the Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation (IOT RDO) has continued to focus on collaboration, advocacy and practical outcomes that support the long-term economic and social wellbeing of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

In November, we were pleased to officially open the new IOT RDO office. This marks an important milestone for the organisation and provides a shared, welcoming space for the community.

November was also an important period for the organisation. The Committee met in person for the Annual General Meeting and a strategic planning workshop to progress updates to the regional strategic plans, and the IOT Supply Chain Review was recognised as Runner-Up at the RDA National Awards, a strong acknowledgement of the collective effort to address freight and logistics challenges in the Indian Ocean Territories.

In this newsletter, you’ll find a snapshot of what the IOT RDO has been working on in recent months, including initiatives to strengthen local capability, improve access to data, and progress key economic and community priorities.

Thank you to everyone who continues to engage with and support the work of the IOT RDO. We look forward to continuing this work together.

Chair of the Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation
Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands

New Grant Finder – GrantGuru (Trial)

We are pleased to announce that the IOT RDO has partnered with GrantGuru to trial a new online grant-finding platform for the Indian Ocean Territories. GrantGuru is designed to help local businesses, community organisations and groups easily search for funding opportunities that match their projects and ideas.

This trial will help us understand whether the tool is useful and accessible for the IOTs. More information is available on the IOT RDO website under Grants. To use the platform, you can create a free account by clicking here, which allows you to save grants and receive email alerts for relevant opportunities.

What We’ve Been Working On

Strengthening Local Capability – Business Foundations & ASBAS Digital Solutions

In October, the IOT RDO partnered with Business Foundations, Indian Ocean Group Training Association, the Community Resource Centres and CI Business Association to deliver training under the Australian Small Business Advisory Service (ASBAS) Digital Solutions program, alongside grant writing workshops across Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Delivered by Phillip Kemp and Susan O’Byrne, the workshops supported local businesses, community groups, volunteers and individuals to build confidence in grant applications and strengthen practical digital skills.

IOT Business Directory – Refreshed and Updated

The IOT RDO has recently given the IOT Business Directory a refresh to improve usability and ensure it remains a valuable tool for promoting local businesses across Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The IOT Business Directory now also has dedicated pages featuring the Emergency Services on each island and the recycling programs currently offered in the IOT’s.

Local businesses are encouraged to check and update their details, including contact information and services offered, to ensure listings remain accurate and up to date. Businesses that are not yet listed are also invited to register and be included in the directory.

Building Better Local Data – Community Profiles

The IOT RDO is partnering with .id (Informed Decisions) to develop community profiles for the Indian Ocean Territories.

These profiles will provide reliable local data to support better planning, strengthen funding and grant applications, and inform decisions affecting the islands. Once established, the profiles will be publicly available, with initial outputs expected early next year.

Christmas Island Economic Future Working Group

The Christmas Island Economic Future Working Group which brings members across industry, government and community, continues to progress its work program, with the Administrator’s Office acting as overall project manager to support coordination, transparency and community confidence.

Work continues across priority areas including redevelopment of underutilised buildings, infrastructure planning for development sites, access to and enjoyment of the natural environment, and support for young people and families. The Working Group has also agreed to establish baseline socio-economic indicators to help measure the impact of this work over time.

Advocacy and National Engagement

The IOT RDO continued its advocacy work at the national level, including participation in the RDA National Forum in Canberra. This provided an opportunity to share insights with other remote regions and engage with government representatives on shared challenges and opportunities.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport Upgrade Engagement

The IOT RDO has continued regular engagement with Fulton Hogan, Defence and other key stakeholders in relation to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands airport upgrade.

This engagement is focused on ensuring community interests remain front of mind as the project progresses, including consideration of local impacts, workforce opportunities and longer-term benefits for connectivity and economic development in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

School Holiday Program

The IOT RDO was pleased to support a successful School Holiday Program on Christmas Island, delivering positive and engaging activities for local children.

The program was well received, and the RDO has commenced discussions with partners about opportunities to offer the program again in the coming year.

International Women’s Day 2025

The IOT RDO was proud to contribute to this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations on Christmas Island. It was wonderful to see so many women attending a well-run, engaging and highly entertaining event, celebrating the achievements, leadership and contributions of women across the Indian Ocean Territories.

Thank you to the organisers, volunteers and everyone who attended and helped make the event such a success.

IOT RDO Red Door Office – Open to the Community

The IOT RDO office is intended to be a shared and welcoming space. It is available for community groups, organisations and businesses to use for meetings, collaboration or short-term workspace needs.

If you’re a business or organisation and need a space, please contact our Director Carolin Buncle Diesner at carolin.buncle@iotrdo.com.au.

Committee news

Committee memberships

On 1 October 2025, the Chair of the IOT RDO formally welcomed the new Committee members for the 2025–26 term:

• Amy McDonald (CKI)
• Melanie Han (CI) and
• Kuranda Sayit (CKI – Affiliate Member).

Amy, Melanie and Kuranda joined continuing members:

• Sarah Coote (CI)
• Stephanie Lai (CI)
• Tracey Krepp (CI)
• Thomas Battcher (CKI)

The RDO thanks all members for their commitment to supporting sustainable development across the Indian Ocean Territories.

Annual General Meeting

The IOT RDO Committee held its Annual General Meeting on 22 November 2025. The Committee is pleased to announce its office holders:

• Farzian Zainal – Chairperson
• Thomas Battcher – Deputy Chairperson
• Amy McDonald – Secretary
• Thomas Battcher – Interim Treasurer

Committee Meetings and Workshops

In November 2025, the IOT RDO Committee came together on Christmas Island for a series of meetings and workshops, including:

• the Annual General Meeting on 22 November 2025;
• a strategic planning workshop on 23 November 2025 to update the regional strategic plans; and
• a Committee meeting on 24 November 2025.

The next Committee meeting is scheduled for February 2026.

Working together to create a thriving future for our island communities

Our door is always open. Please reach out to Committee members or the Director if you have issues or ideas you’d like to discuss.

Chair: Farzian Zainal
Deputy Chair: Thomas Battcher
Committee Members: Sarah Coote, Stephanie Lai, Tracey Krepp, Amy McDonald, Melanie Han
Affiliate Member: Kuranda Seyit  
Director: Carolin Buncle Diesner

Website: Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation
Email: rdo@indianoceanterritories.com.au
Phone: 0407 226 263

About the IOT RDO

The Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation (IOT RDO) is part of the national Regional Development Australia (RDA) network, which consists of 50 organisations across the country funded by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCSA).

The RDA network brings together local leaders who work with all levels of government, business, and community to support economic growth and sustainable development in their regions.

The IOT RDO focuses on building strong, resilient, and confident communities on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. We work to unlock local opportunities, drive investment, and support long-term regional development in the Indian Ocean Territories.