Foreword

Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden protect over 650 hectares of the remote Territory of Norfolk Island. Set in the south-west Pacific Ocean, the
natural habitats and microclimates of the Territory provide refuge between tropical and temperate oceanic island environments and are home to unique assemblages of flora
and fauna.

The park and botanic garden provide habitat and breeding areas for endemic species, migratory birds and large colonies of breeding seabirds. It provides protection to
remnant areas of subtropical rainforest that once covered much of the Island.

Management of the park and botanic garden has a strong focus on the protection of existing native flora and fauna and habitat restoration through the control of invasive species, planting of native vegetation and implementation of erosion control measures.

The park and botanic garden provide educational, scientific, cultural and recreational opportunities for Norfolk Island residents and visitors and a valuable resource for the Norfolk Island tourism industry.

This management plan for Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic
Garden has been prepared under provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and meets all the statutory requirements for a management plan under that Act.

This management plan will provide a firm foundation for the management of the Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden for the next ten years.

Image of the signature of Dr Judy West

Judy West
Acting Director of National Parks

Acknowledgments

The Director of National Parks gratefully acknowledges the assistance and advice of members of the Norfolk Island National Park Advisory Committee and the individuals and organisations who contributed to this management plan.

Image of the forest of Norfolk Island National Park, featuring Norfolk Island pines and sub-tropical vegetation

Insert Image
Vision

Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden are recognised and appreciated for their natural, cultural and scientific values, as a refuge for native species and as an inspirational and rewarding experience for both visitors and the local community.

Objectives

The objectives for management of the park and botanic garden are:

• To identify, conserve and protect the natural and cultural values of the park and botanic garden
• To offer world class natural and cultural experiences, that improve understanding of the values of the reserves and enhance the Norfolk Island regional economy
• To base management and decision-making on a foundation of best available information, sound policies and practices, contemporary management approaches.

Values of the park and botanic garden, as described in the statement of significance on
page 4 of this plan, provide the basis and rationale for management of the reserves and underpin this plan’s objectives, policies and actions.

The management prescriptions in this plan contribute to achieving the objectives for the management of the park and botanic garden. These objectives support the purpose for which the reserves were declared and conservation of their natural and cultural values, ensuring they are managed consistently with their assigned International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) management categories.
Contents

Foreword i

Acknowledgments i

Vision iii

Objectives iii

A description of Norfolk Island National Park and
Norfolk Island Botanic Garden

Territory of Norfolk Island 3

Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden 3

Statement of Significance 4

The values of the park and botanic garden 4

Management Plan for Norfolk Island National Park and
Norfolk Island Botanic Garden

1. Introductory provisions

1.1 Short title 8

1.2 Commencement and termination 8

1.3 IUCN category and zoning 8

Resilient places and ecosystems

2. Natural and cultural heritage management

2.1 Native plants and animals 12

2.2 Cultural heritage management 15

2.3 Botanic Garden and herbarium collection 16

2.4 Research and monitoring 17

2.5 Community use of natural resources 20

2.6 Managing adverse impacts of plants, animals and pathogens 21

2.7 Climate Change 26

2.8 Landscapes, soils and water 27

2.9 Landscape rehabilitation 29

2.10 Forestry Area 30

Tourism and use of the park and botanic garden

3. Visitor and access management

3.1 Visitor activities 36

3.2 Visitor information, education and interpretation 38

3.3 Commercial tourism and other commercial activities 39

Effective business systems

4. Effective business systems

4.1 Assessment of proposals 44

4.2 Roads and tracks 48

4.3 Capital works and infrastructure 54

4.4 Resource use in park operations 55

4.5 Visitor safety and incident management 56

4.6 Compliance and enforcement 59

4.7 Neighbours, stakeholders and partnerships 60

4.8 Activities not otherwise specified in this plan 62

4.9 Management plan implementation and evaluation 63

Appendices

1. Interpretation (including acronyms) 65
2. Legislative context 67

Establishment of the National Park and Botanic Garden 67

Director of National Parks 67

EPBC Act 68

Planning process 70

International agreements 72

C. EPBC Act listed species occurring in Norfolk Island National Park 74
and/or Norfolk Island Botanic Garden

D. Management principles in Schedule 8 to the EPBC Regulations relevant to 78
Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden

Maps

1. Location of Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden 2
2. IUCN Categorisation of zones within the park and botanic garden 10
3. Forestry Area 33
4. Access to Norfolk Island National Park (Mount Pitt Section) 50
5. Access to Norfolk Island Botanic Garden 52
6. Access to Norfolk Island National Park (Phillip Island Section) 53

Tables

1. Decision-making process and impact assessment procedures 46
2. Environmental impact assessment matters and considerations 47

Bibliography 81

Index 84