Norfolk Island elects its inaugural council

Five candidates have been declared elected after Norfolk Island held the first election for its Regional Council on Saturday 28 May 2016.

Rod Buffett, Lisle Snell, David Porter, John McCoy and Robin Adams will form the new Norfolk Island Regional Council from 1 July 2016.

Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government Paul Fletcher said the councillors will have an important role in guiding the newly formed Regional Council and supporting efforts to grow the Norfolk Island economy.

“I congratulate the successful candidates on their election and look forward to working with them once they take office on 1 July 2016,” Mr Fletcher said.

“I expect an important focus of the council will be revitalising the Norfolk Island tourism industry and taking advantage of the Australian Government’s investment in upgrading local infrastructure, including $13.5 million to upgrade the Cascade Pier.

“The community and local administration has recently drafted a Norfolk Island Strategic Plan and it will now be in the hands of the councillors to build on this work and set a positive agenda for the Regional Council.”

Successful candidates will receive training on their responsibilities as councillors before taking office. Councillors will elect a mayor for a period of one year from among themselves.