Council Advisory Committees

Advisory Committees provide a structure for interested residents and subject matter experts to play an active role in contributing to council policy and direction.

Advisory Committees provide an important link for Council with the community and are supported via other community consultative methods.

Advisory Committees are established under Part 20 of Council’s Code of Meeting Practice(PDF, 649KB) and in accordance with Section 355 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW)(NI) to provide advice to Council on matters of strategic significance. Council committees may make recommendations to Council and act under specific delegations granted by Council.

The Norfolk Island Regional Council has the following Advisory Committees in place:

1. Environment and Sustainability Advisory Committee
2. Electricity Special Purpose Committee
3. Strategic Finance Improvement Committee

OPEN EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Strategic Finance Improvement Committee

Council is seeking 5 community members to participate in this voluntary committee. Applications close on 31 December 2025.
Please refer to the following documents for more information, including how to make an application:

• SFIC Expression of Interest(PDF, 132KB)
• SFIC Terms of Reference(PDF, 276KB)
• Media Release(PDF, 123KB)

Background:
Council resolved, at the 10 December 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting, to form a Strategic Finance Improvement Committee to further strengthen management and advise on the development of Integrated Planning and Reporting 2026/27.

Purpose:
The specific functions delegated to the Committee include:

• Regularly and continuously review Council's financial situation with a view to becoming financially sustainable by 2026/27.
• Prepare a Strategic Finance Improvement Plan with an emphasis on the urgency to address the financial issues facing Council.
• To focus on the challenges faced by Council, brand the updated plan "Finance Improvement Plan" (the Plan).
• Implement the actions identified in the Plan and report monthly to Council on the financial position in the Plan.
• Improve compliance with accounting principles including the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW)(NI), the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 (NSW)(NI) and the Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting.
• The Plan is to include the actions Council will take over the next two budgets (FY 25/26 and FY 26/27) to break the practice of adopting deficit operating budgets without reliance on government grants.
• Update the six completed service reviews and include in the remaining three service reviews revenue opportunities to ensure Council can move to surplus operating budgets and ensure its long-term financial security.
• Invite the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee to provide monitoring of the Plan.
• The Plan is also to include a three-year financial strategy which will culminate in Council increasing its unrestricted cash balance to a sustainable level to transition to the Norfolk Island Assembly (NIA).

ESTABLISHED ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Electricity Special Purpose Committee

Background:
The Committee established under the authority of Norfolk Island Regional Council Resolutions 2025/145 (24 September 2025 Council Meeting) and 2025/199 (27 November 2025 Council Meeting).

Council commissioned the Electricity Service Review in early 2025 to help understand the current and future anticipated service levels for Norfolk Island Regional Council’s electricity business. The Electricity Service Review was presented to Council on 24 September 2025. Parallel to the Electricity Service Review, Council also undertook a tariff review and community consultation on electricity tariffs which was presented to Council on 30 July 2025 and 27 November 2025, respectively.

• ESPC Terms of Reference(PDF, 8MB)

Purpose and Role of the Committee:

• Read and understand the Electricity Service Review findings presented to Council on 24 Sept 2025.
• Review and provide feedback to Council on the Qubist Tariff Review and subsequent Electricity Tariff Community Consultation.
• Formally advise management through the IP&R process for FY 2026-27.
• Assist with the socialisation and solicitation of feedback of these findings with the community.
• Synthesise the community engagement feedback, as well as feedback from the Committee, into periodic reports back to Council.
• Provide guidance and advice that supports the purpose of the Committee.
• Share expertise on consumer electricity generation, distribution, asset management, commercial outcomes and business planning.
• Assist the Council in understanding the local electricity service delivery environment.
• Socialise the findings of the Electricity Service Review, Qubist Tariff Review and Electricity Tariff Community Consultation as necessary.
• Assist the Council to mitigate or treat risks and issues that present related to the Committee throughout its tenure.
• Regularly inform Council, through its Acting General Manager (or his designee) of the Committee’s progress.

 

Environment and Sustainability Advisory Committee (ESAC)

Background:
ESAC will assist Council on matters relating to Norfolk Island’s sustainability, namely waste and wastewater management, water management (water quality and water security), biodiversity conservation and land management matters that relates to Council Land.

Objectives:

• To advise Council on the implementation of the NIRC Community Strategic Plan, Environment Strategy and annual Operational Plan as they relate to sustainability and conservation, namely waste and wastewater management, water management, Norfolk Island’s Public Reserves, tree management and other land management matters.
• To identify opportunities for collaboration between Council, residents, business, other government agencies and visitors on matters relating to sustainability.
• To assist Council in developing policies regarding land and biodiversity management, and protection of the natural environment.
• To evaluate plans and recommend programs that contribute to waste reduction, sustainable resource usage and management, water conservation and usage and enhance the value of Norfolk Island’s Public Reserves and encourage the protection and enhancement of endemic species on private land.
• To assist and advise on community education as it relates to sustainability and biodiversity protection and conservation, pest and noxious weed management and other land management issues as they relate to Norfolk Island.

Membership:
6 voting community members, non-voting members include: Assistant Director, Environment, Agriculture and Water - plus proxy; and Manager, Norfolk Island National Park, and Botanic Garden - plus proxy; three Council staff members.

How are Committee Members selected?

When seeking Community Committee Members - Council will advertise an Expression of Interest in the local media. Interested community members will be able to go online and view the Terms of Reference and/or an Expression of Interest document and are asked to submit an application to Council detailing their suitability against selection criteria. The recruitment of those members of the Committee is to be based on merit, and it is important that the selection process used is transparent and accountable.