The Minister for the Environment has announced that Cascade Reserve, in the north of Norfolk Island, has been added to the Commonwealth Heritage List.
The Minister, Sussan Ley said the move recognised the area’s significance for Australia’s early history and its strong association with travel, transport and recreation for Norfolk Islanders.
“The 23-hectare area, located over 1,400 kilometres off the east coast of Brisbane, has been used as a landing site since 1788 and is home to a rich collection of archaeological sites,” Ms Ley said.
“The history of Cascade Reserve stretches back to the earliest moments in our nation’s colonial history when the HMS Supply arrived at Norfolk Island in 1788 to investigate the usefulness of the pines and flax spotted some 14 years previously,” she said.
Ms Ley said the area was used during convict settlements on Norfolk Island in the 18th and 19th centuries, and now hosted a wide variety of archaeological remains.
“This is the seventh Norfolk Island site to be included on the Commonwealth Heritage List joining Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area, which is also on the World Heritage List as part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property,” she said.
Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, Nola Marino said Cascade Reserve had a strong significance for the Norfolk Islander community which used it for fishing, picnics and to enjoy the natural environment.
“As one of only two landing sites, Cascade Reserve has long been an important point of contact between Norfolk Island and the rest of the world by accommodating trade, transport and communication,” Ms Marino said.
