Norfolk Island Heritage and Environment
Norfolk Island is of volcanic origin. It has 32 km of coastline consisting mainly of high cliffs. Within sight of the southern shore are two small uninhabited islands. Nepean, the smallest and closest, is of coral sandstone about 4 hectares in area and about 800 metres from the shore. Philip is a volcanic island of 258 hectares area, 5.6 km south of Norfolk. Neither island has any water supply.
Flora
Overall the native vegetation can be generally described as subtropical rainforest. The total area of remaining natural forest is small, just 191ha or 5% of the island area. Dense rainforest exists within the National Park and parts of the Island are still well wooded with the Norfolk Island pine, which grows to a height of 55 metres, predominating. A flowering white oak is prevalent and the seeds of kentia palms form a small commercial crop. There is a sub-tropical rainforest on Mt Pitt with palms and giant ferns. Introduced kikuyu grass covers many slopes while various ornamental shrubs and trees have been introduced including hibiscus, wild lemon, macadamia nut, red and yellow guava and avocado trees.
Fauna
The Island has no reptiles or spiders which are dangerous to humans. Its insect population includes many varieties of butterflies and moths. There are 55 species of birds including white terns, vivid parrots and the endemic and rare green parrot. Norfolk Island, Nepean and Phillip Island and other small islets are important as nesting or roosting habitats for seabirds such as the Whale Bird or Sooty Tern which migrates between Norfolk Island and the northern hemisphere.
Further information and pictures on the flora and fauna of Norfolk Island can be found at the Environment Australia's web pages for the Norfolk Island National Park and Botanic Gardens.
Land Tenure
Of the total area of 3,455 hectares about 1,700 hectares are held as freehold, 1,010 hectares are Crown leasehold and 745 hectares are designated roads, commons and public reserves.
The present system of land tenure was developed directly from the system used at the time of the settlement of the Pitcairn Islanders in 1856. A 20 hectare block was granted to the head of each family or a 10 hectare block was granted to males who married after they had settled on Norfolk Island. Over time, the descendants of the original grantees have subdivided freehold land so that there are now many small holdings.
In June 2000 the Federal Government announced its 'in principle' agreement to withdraw from ownership of certain types of Crown Land on Norfolk Island. The intent is to see, wherever possible, Norfolk Islanders like other Australians owning the land on which they live or operate their business. Land in the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) and the Norfolk Island National Park is not included in the current Land Initiative.
[much of the information on this page has been sourced from the Pacific Island Yearbook 16th Edition. Douglas Norman and Ngaire (eds) Australia: Angus and Robertson Publishers 1989]