Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p72
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 72/276)
Character Range: 285498–288558

not as large as expected. Most populations of threatened passerine birds are believed to have been stable or in decline over the last decade. As rats are thought to be one of the greatest threats to these species, the lack of positive population trends suggests that rat control efforts may not have been sufficient to significantly reduce predation impacts.

Objective 4: To prevent the accidental introduction of exotic fauna, flora or pathogens

Management actions

    * Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, Australian border control arrangements were extended to cover Norfolk Island, and the movement of vessels, goods and people into Norfolk Island is now managed like international movements (previously, Norfolk Island was responsible for its own biosecurity and operated outside of the Commonwealth Quarantine Act 1908).
    * All vessels and goods that are brought onto Norfolk Island must comply with the Biosecurity Act 2015. Norfolk Island also has its own goods determination that prescribes goods that are prohibited from being brought onto the island (amendments to this determination are made as required).
    * The Norfolk Island Quarantine Survey 2012–2014 (NIQS) was undertaken to provide baseline data on species present on the island which are considered exotic for both Norfolk Island and mainland Australia. This baseline has informed risk analysis and decisions on border control arrangements.
    * NIQS also identified and implemented measures to enhance quarantine capabilities, including provision of a laboratory, heat treatment facilities, training and a quarantine detector dog.

Outcome

Results from the NQIS 2012–2014 were used to inform the Norfolk Island Pest and Disease Survey 2021–2023. This survey filled important knowledge gaps, including information on the marine environment. The NQIS 2012–2014 revealed that several biosecurity risks had been introduced to Norfolk Island, and, more recently, myrtle rust (a fungal disease) and palm seed borer (a pest beetle) have been introduced. This suggests that more needs to be done to reduce the risk of future accidental introductions.

Objective 5: To recover flora and fauna species listed under the EPBC Act through specific actions
All actions undertaken contributed to this objective; some specific actions are listed.

Management actions—flora

    * In 2018, a dedicated threatened flora program was initiated by Parks Australia that involved seed collections, propagation trials and raising seedlings in the Norfolk Island National Park nursery, as well as reducing the impact of weed species and predation by rodents and chickens, to improve juvenile recruitment and competitive advantage.
    * The translocation of nursery-grown plants into suitable locations in the park was conducted (see Objective 2 in section 3.1.1), with the aim of increasing numbers in existing populations as well as establishing them in additional locations.
    * Nursery-grown plants were provided to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and