Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L00219:body:0:p4
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L00219
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 11081–14029

operated as a colonial settlement between 1788 and 1814, utilising convict labour to harvest and mill Norfolk Island pines and harvest flax for the making of canvas. In 1825 a penal settlement was established, operating until 1855, when the last remaining convicts were removed.

         In June 1856 the Island was settled by the Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the mutineers of the HMS Bounty and their families. Pitcairn had become too small for their growing population and was no longer a suitable home. The Pitcairners established a permanent settlement on Norfolk Island and their descendants make up around one third of the Island's current population.

         Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden

         Norfolk Island National Park covers 650 hectares in two sections. The Mount Pitt Section on Norfolk Island itself covers 460 hectares. The other section comprises 190 hectares of neighbouring Phillip Island. The Norfolk Island Botanic Garden covers 5.5 hectares and is located near the Mount Pitt Section of the park.

         The Mount Pitt Section of the park and the botanic garden were first established by the Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden Act 1984 when it came into force on 12 February 1985. These areas were subsequently declared a national park and botanic garden under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 by proclamation under that Act on 31 January 1986 following a request of the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly. The Phillip Island Section of the park was proclaimed under the Commonwealth Act on 24 January 1996.

         In July 2000 the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) came into force and replaced a number of Acts relevant to the management of the park and botanic garden. Since 16 July 2000, the park and the botanic garden have been managed under the EPBC Act.
Statement of Significance

         Set in the south-west Pacific, Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden provide a link between tropical and temperate oceanic island environments. Norfolk's remote location, coupled with Norfolk Island's colonisation by plants and animals dispersed over vast distances of ocean, means the park and botanic garden have unique vegetation assemblages with many endemic species. The park contains historic sites and artefacts that illustrate the social development of the island and its people since early settlement. The park contains sites that support ongoing traditional and cultural practices undertaken by the local community.

The values of the park and botanic garden

         Identification and recognition of the park and botanic garden's values ensures a shared understanding about what is most important about the reserves, and the statement
         of significance helps to focus management and planning. If the values are allowed to decline the park and