Challenges and Opportunities in Managing Remote Islands: The Australian Practice

Abstract

Small remote offshore islands under the exclusive administration of coastal states share similar characteristics as small island developing states in terms of ecological diversity, unique cultural identity, environmental vulnerabilities, and the need for adequate service delivery. While global and regional programmes have been established to address challenges confronting small island developing States, little attention is paid on the importance of remote offshore islands or territories. In Australia, uninhabited islands face a different set of challenges than inhabited remote islands; nevertheless, they share similar socio-economic development concerns as coastal cities. Apart from known and potential environmental threats to remote offshore territories in the country, there are also issues relating to the security of people in the islands. In order to address these threats, offshore territories are integrated into the Australian legislative and political framework. The Australian Government, whether at the local, state or Commonwealth (national) level, has also developed strategic management plans for the sustainability of its islands and their resources. These management plans adopt a number of guiding principles, such as the conservation of the terrestrial and marine environment, protection of cultural heritage, promotion of recreation, tourism and other activities as appropriate to the environment, preservation of the social environment, and the prompt delivery of services and maintenance of facilities. An in-depth analysis of these principles demonstrates a close similarity between Australia’s domestic framework on offshore territories and the global regime to effectively manage small island developing states.