Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands – CHRMAP

Planning for your Future – 2025 to 2125 The Next 100 Years

The long-awaited draft CHRMAP has been provided to Council and community members by the custodians the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and Arts, the Departments of Lands Planning and Heritage West Australia and Shape Urban consultants. Seven years in development, the draft document fell well short of community expectations and is a document focused on retreat as opposed to management and adaptation.

1. That Council endorse the Chief Executive of the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands to be the first point if call for all matters CHRMAP related until further notice.
2. That Council endorses, a change to the current Organisational Chart to include a position of “Executive Assistant” Chief Executive Officer to support the Chief Executive Officer in all matters CHRMAP related until further notice.
3. That Council nominates, a delegation of elected members to travel to the Torres Strait in Queensland to inspect some of the islands and their efforts of adaption to combat climate change and rising sea levels.
4. That Council nominates, a delegation of elected members and staff to travel to Canberra to meet with members of the Federal Government Cabinet Committee responsible for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to discuss support for an extension to 30 June 2026 (or longer if required), for the community consultation period prior to the finalisation and acceptance of a draft CHRMAP for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
5. That Council endorse and support the development of a “CHRMAP” Community Consultative Committee to be chaired by the Shire Chief Executive Officer and made up of residents of Home and West Island with the Committee reporting at each monthly Ordinary Meeting of Council.

Key Concerns

• Significant additional research is needed before a revised draft CHRMAP can be presented to the community.
• Expert input from marine engineers, climate change experts, civic engineers, and construction specialists is required to assess adaptation versus retreat strategies.
• The Shire will conduct extensive community consultations, aiming to engage every resident, business operator, stakeholder, and interested party.

Draft CHRMAP Custodians

A meeting was scheduled for 4 March 2025 with DITRDCA, DLPH, and Shape Urban to:

• Secure access to all intellectual property, expert opinions, community consultation records, and technical data related to the draft CHRMAP.
• Discuss Commonwealth funding for the Shire to develop a CHRMAP that serves as a long-term blueprint for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Community Consultations

• West Island: 5 March 2025, 5:30 p.m. at the Cocos Club – an introductory session with a Q&A opportunity.
• Home Island: Date TBA – session will address complexities related to the land trust and lack of land tenure.

CHRMAP Community Consultative Committee

• A committee will be formed, chaired by the CEO, to provide a direct link between the community and Council.
• The committee will meet monthly and serve as a key stakeholder in shaping the revised CHRMAP.
• Interested community members should contact the CEO for involvement.

Next 30-Day Highlights

• Meeting with DITRDCA, DLPH, and Shape Urban to address outstanding questions.
• Meeting with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation WA regarding a Water Management Report for Home Island.
• Awaiting ministerial response.
• Submission of a funding application under the DRF to support CHRMAP development over the next two years.
• Engagement with the Torres Strait Island Regional Council to plan a site visit.
• Community consultation sessions.
• Appointment of the CHRMAP Community Consultative Committee at the March 2025 Council Meeting.
• Engagement with climate change experts and researchers who have contacted the Shire since the draft CHRMAP release.
• Consultation with Civic Legal regarding CHRMAP and potential trust implications.
• Development of a 12-month roadmap for drafting the revised CHRMAP.

Community Participation

The CEO encourages all community members to engage in CHRMAP development through:

• A designated email address for feedback.
• A website feedback section.
• Direct engagement with Community Consultative Committee members.
• Open-door discussions with the CEO.