State government services

Actions by the NSW Government in recent times with regard to the protection of Lord Howe Island in response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an immediate cessation of tourism to the island as of 22nd March 2020 with the LHI Public Health Order by the NSW Minister for Health.

It is recognised that there are Commonwealth and NSW Government packages that will assist businesses and individuals in this difficult time. However, the LHI Board understand the pressure this has put on many businesses on Lord Howe where tourism is responsible for most business functions in some capacity. The Board considered how it might be able to support businesses during this time and resolved on Wednesday 29 April at its Board meeting to implement the LHI COVID-19 support package.

The package in the table below outlines a range of fees that are directly related to undertaking tourism based business activities which will be waived or reduced for a three month period (one quarter).

Due to different trading and revenue arrangements some businesses have more immediate cash flow challenges and others may be facing these in future months. At the time of writing the usual quarterly fee notices were about to be issued. These include a range of fees for different purposes. Some are payable in advance (eg lease fees) and others are for services already incurred (eg electricity usage).

To simplify matters and to enable any fee relief to become available as soon as practical, fee relief will be administered as a credit on the fee notice. This allows flexibility for a business or individual to enjoy the credit immediately through a reduction in payment due now, or alternatively retain it as a credit against future quarterly fee notices/payments.

If you would like to further discuss your personal situation with regard to payment plans or other arrangements please call or email John van Gaalen on 6563 2066 or John.vanGaalen@lhib.nsw.gov.au

Given the significant capital investment required to implement the Road Map the LHIB Administration has developed a funding strategy based on utilising a combination of NSW Treasury Loans, seeking NSW Government Capital Works funding and electricty tariffs.

Over coming months the LHIB will commence negotiations with the NSW Government to seek capital funding and establish NSW Treaury Loans.  The LHIB will utilise these funds to commence the preliminary phases of the implementation of the Road Map including the engagement of a project manager to assist with the site feasibility studies for 2 -3 medium sized wind turbines to be erected on portion 101 on Transit Hill, and a community solar PV array.

For details on the LHI Sustainable Energy Program and the LHI Energy Supply Road Map please visit the electricty infrastructure page on this website.

The project was approved with 15 conditions. The new facility will be constructed on Portion 176 Lagoon Road in the old quarry site located between the Mulley Drive intersection and Capella.  The Backup generator is currently housed in the powerhouse but for security of supply reasons the LHIB agreed to the relocation of the backup generator to an appropriate site at the southern end of the island to provide better energy security for the island.

Construction of the new facility will commence in coming months but the backup generator is not expected to be relocated and commissioned until after the new powerhouse has been commissioned.

Construction works on the new LHI Powerhouse have continued over recent months with the new building on schedule for completion in Mid June.

Unfortunately delays in the delivery of 2 new transformers which enable the connection of the new Powerhouse to the LHI grid means that the new Powerhouse will not be able to be commissioned until October this year.

Over the coming months LHIB will take the opportunity to complete associated road works and landscaping of the new facility.

The LHIB is planning an Open day for the public to visit the new powerhouse prior to the "switching on" of the new facility.  Keep an eye on the website for details of the open day.