The Norfolk Island Food System Strategy 2025–2030 sets out an evidence-based plan for strengthening food security on Norfolk Island through to 2030. Developed by Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC), it draws together findings from the May 2025 Community Food Supply Survey, the RDAMNC/QUT food system mapping project, the Pinion Advisory agricultural audit, and the 2023–2028 food security strategy which has remained unimplemented. The Food System Strategy lays out RDAMNC’s proposed approach to improving the food system of Norfolk Island. Not all actions are deliverable by RDAMNC. In those cases, the agencies to collaborate with are listed and they are advocacy items for RDAMNC.
The Food System Strategy responds to a food system under real pressure — a growing population, an agricultural sector in long-term decline, costly and fragile supply chains, and low community trust in past initiatives. While 48 per cent of food consumed by survey respondents on the island is sourced locally and most respondents grow some food at home, 74 per cent rate food prices as a weakness.
The strategy is built around three active program areas — livestock genetics improvement (cattle, sheep and goats), a structured bare-rooted fruit tree importation program, and system stabilisation across water, freight, governance, food literacy and land protection. Its first priority is trust repair, beginning with a public accountability register of all food security investment since 2015. From there it advocates to the Australian Government for freight equalisation on agricultural inputs, a funded water security scheme, and reform of biosecurity processes for plant material.
We welcome your input on the strategy — please share your feedback via our short survey.