News from the Administrator
**Adverse weather conditions in the Indian Ocean Territories**
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) have been providing regular advice and updates to the Emergency Management Officer (EMO) regarding the adverse weather conditions forecast for the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands over the coming days.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI)
As a precaution, the CKI community is currently under cyclone watch status as gales and heavy rain may develop throughout Friday and Saturday.
Due to strong north-westerly winds expected, with choppy seas in the lagoon, the ferry service will not be operating on Saturday, 27 February 2021.
If the conditions change, I will convene a meeting of the CKI Emergency Management Executive and provide further updates to the community.
Christmas Island (CI)
The low is likely to bring a period of increased showers and thunderstorm activity, as well as stronger north-westerly winds into the weekend over CI.
The EMO continues to monitor the rainfall, stormwater and the potential for rockfall across the Island and has advised there are no immediate risks. He will continue to monitor and provide advice.
Due to the unfavourable conditions, the jetty in Flying Fish Cove has been closed and will continue to be monitored by the Harbour Master. Please observe the jetty closure.
If the conditions change, I will convene a meeting of the CI Emergency Management Executive and provide further updates to the community.
I will continue to keep you informed if the situation changes. Please stay safe.
Adverse weather conditions in the Indian Ocean Territories
createsend.com
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) have been providing regular advice and updates to the Emergency Management Officer (EMO) regarding the adverse weather conditions forecast for the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands over the coming days.Lisa Ionn Ali Oop
Thanks for the update Tash, hopefully by Tuesday all good😬
A new message from the Territory Controllers – Update 25 February 2021
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A new message from the Territory Controllers – Update 25 February 2021
createsend.com
There has been growing interest regarding the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination program for Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.Is your organisation applying to Round 5 of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF)?
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, and Regional Development Australia (RDA) Central West, have published a webinar which focuses on:
• what the Australian Government wants to achieve from BBRF Round 5;
• program guidelines;
• assessment process; and
• what makes a good application stand out from the rest.
The webinar can be accessed from business.gov.au
www.business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/building-better-regions-fund-infrastructure-projects-stre...
**Temporary flight route changes to support CI aviation fuel supplies **
There will be some temporary changes to passenger air service routes for the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT), to manage ongoing delays to aviation fuel delivery to Christmas Island (CI) caused by poor weather conditions.
From Tuesday, 2 March 2021, all passenger flights to the IOT will be temporarily rerouted to first stop at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) – and refuel – before travelling on to CI, then return to Perth.
This will help manage the available aviation fuel stocks on CI, until the new supplies can be off-loaded from the sea freighter. It should be noted, this change will only affect the Tuesday service route, as the Friday flight already stops at CKI first.
I acknowledge the significant impact this short-term measure will have on inter-island travel in particular and I thank all travellers – visitors and residents – for their patience and understanding as the Australian Government works to ensure the continued operation of essential air services to the IOT.
Virgin Australia will be in contact with affected passengers and will provide further information on these temporary flight arrangements shortly.
CI has been affected by an unusually strong and lengthy swell season this year, which has reduced the ability of shipping services to moor and unload at CI. This has prevented some essential supplies – including aviation fuel – from being delivered in recent months.
Unfortunately, continuing poor weather prevented full offload of freight on CI last week, including the aviation fuel. However, it was positive to see 15 refrigerated containers of food supplies successfully delivered.
While we await the return of the ship and its successful offload of the remaining supplies and fuel, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications is working with Air BP, Toll, Virgin Australia and other stakeholders to manage fuel use and uptake from CI until the next delivery.
Adequate fuel supplies are available to support critical operations such as medical evacuation flights. I will keep you informed as we continue to deliver essential passenger and freight air services to the IOT.
Christmas Island Tourism Cocos Keeling Islands Visitor Centre
Ken Eade
Joanne Stein 😟
Lisa Ionn Ali Oop
Isa Minkom
Mardi Bertram
Jenny Khaw
Alexander Jansen Jack Cassey Heather Cassey
Lisa Preston Dieter Gerhard Belinda Van Zundert Jahna Luke Seri Iku Chantelle Robinson Farzian Zainal Kelly Edwards Andrea Selvey Tania Charlston Please share
IOT COVID-19 vaccine program:
I understand there has been growing interest regarding the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination program for Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. I wanted to let you know that the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (the Department) is represented on a national COVID Inter-Departmental Committee designed to share information and coordinate on Australian Government planning and priorities for the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine across Australia. The Department’s focus is to ensure the IOT communities are included in this broader national planning, and is working with the federal Department of Health to determine the details for the local vaccination roll-out. In the meantime, information on the vaccine program is currently available at www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/covid-19-vaccination-easy-read-resources and I urge you to take advantage of this important information.
The IOT Health Service will also be holding sessions with the community to provide answers to your queries and any potential concerns. Further updates will be provided as information regarding the IOT vaccine roll-out comes to hand.
Kaz Singer Pete Smith
Resources
Community Bulletins, Updates and Media Releases
Service Delivery Arrangements for the Indian Ocean Territories
2019-20 Budget Outcomes for the Indian Ocean Territories
Review of Tourism – The Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island – Deloitte
• IOT Tourism Review
• IOT Action Plan
Publications
Useful links
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