Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p105
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 105/276)
Character Range: 428240–431293

of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA)

Legislative context

DITRDCA is responsible for the management of Commonwealth land outside the national park and botanic garden and the protection of Commonwealth Heritage values. Under the EPBC Act, Commonwealth agencies have responsibilities for the protection of Commonwealth Heritage values and must implement recovery plans to the extent to which they apply in Commonwealth areas. Management requirements are set out under the EPBC Act and Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000. Commonwealth agencies that own or lease a Commonwealth Heritage place are required to manage the place in accordance with the Commonwealth management principles.
In 2004, several places on Norfolk Island that were previously on the Commonwealth's Register of National Estate were added to the Commonwealth Heritage List (CHL), including Selwyn Reserve, Nepean Island Reserve and Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (KAVHA). Cascade Reserve was listed in 2022. Many of these places are also on the Norfolk Island Heritage Register 2002 (Heritage Act 2002 (NI)) and are public reserves under the Public Reserves Act 1997 (NI).
In 2010 KAVHA was also added to the World Heritage List. In addition to KAVHA's National and Commonwealth Heritage listings, the Australian Government's obligations under the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage are also implemented through the EPBC Act.
DITRDCA has overall responsibility for the management of KAVHA. The Department's management of the site is supported by the Department's Commonwealth Heritage Manager and guided by the KAVHA Advisory Committee. The KAVHA Community Advisory Group also provides input on conservation and tourism activities in KAVHA. NIRC provides services at the site under an agreement with the Australian Government.
The majority of land within the KAVHA site is owned by the Commonwealth. Crown leases within the KAVHA are comprised of rural residential, rural and special purpose leases. The Commonwealth Heritage Listed area excludes all private freehold land areas as the listing can only apply to Commonwealth land.
The KAVHA Heritage Management Plan (Jean Rice Architect et al. 2016) establishes strategic principles of conservation and protection of the outstanding universal value, Commonwealth Heritage values and other heritage values of KAVHA. It also supports the Australian Government to meet its statutory obligations under the EPBC Act. A new Kingston Site Master Plan was released in 2023.
On behalf of the Commonwealth, DITRDCA is responsible for management of the islets, the vast majority of Norfolk Island's cliff faces and areas outside of the cadastral boundaries, among other sites including the school and hospital.

Kingston and Arthur's Value Historic Area (KAVHA)
The site covers approximately 250 ha, of which 78 ha are within public reserves. The public reserves within KAVHA include:

    * Cemetery Reserve