Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01891:body:0:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01891
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 30957–34065

interim arrangements are in place pending election of a regional council. This Heritage
Management Plan (HMP) reflects that governance arrangements for Norfolk Island are changing.

The HMP complies with the requirements of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999 (Cwith) and establishes strategic principles for conservation of the Outstanding Universal Value and other
heritage values of the KAVHA site. The HMP seeks to improve connections with the Norfolk Island community,
including landholders, as well as with the wider Australian community, to demonstrate how heritage can benefit
local people, to improve visitor experiences and to address resourcing and management issues.

The KAVHA site is at a critical juncture and requires major changes for heritage values to be conserved,
interpreted and passed on to future generations. Revised operational arrangements, a broader funding
base, better engagement with stakeholders and improved presentation are essential. The HMP
establishes ten over-arching policies and a program for implementing the necessary changes, along with
specific recommendations for future projects. Strong and sustained support is needed from all levels of
government, people who work at the site, landholders, the tourism industry and the Norfolk Island
community generally, through an inclusive and engaging heritage management process.

The rich and interwoven natural and cultural landscape of the KAVHA site will be
conserved, managed, protected and presented with authenticity as a vibrant place
through effective governance, good management, improved support, best practice
techniques/tools and enduring community partnerships.

Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area—Heritage Management Plan, April 2016
Authorised Version F2016L01891 registered 09/12/2016

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Introducti

ion 1

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Jean Rice Architect | CONTEXT | GML Heritage

1.1 Introduction

The Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) on Norfolk Island is a place of outstanding heritage
value. The KAVHA site is recognised for its picturesque character, historic associations, outstanding
Georgian buildings, and evocative ruins set within a bucolic landscape. The site plays an important and
continuing role in the life, identity and culture of the Norfolk Island community. It was initially occupied by
the seafaring Polynesians, then settled by the British from 1788 as a convict penal settlement.

The convict history of the KAVHA site covers the full history of transportation to eastern Australia from
1788 until 1855. The first penal period between 1788 and 1814 was part of the first European settlement
of Australia. A subsequent phase of penal settlement spanned from 1825-1855. In 1856 the KAVHA site
was settled by the Pitcairn Island descendants of the HMAV Bounty mutineers and Tahitians. This is
unique in the history of Australia and its territories. Norfolk Island's strategic importance was one of the
reasons for the settling of Australia by the British. Further, the KAVHA site includes rare surviving
evidence of pre-European Polynesian occupation.