Bundaberg Regional Council’s sister city relationship request falls through

Bundaberg Regional Council has failed to answer questions about their motivations behind an invitation to Norfolk Island Regional Council to become the region’s newest “Sister City”.

Uncovered meeting minutes from a Norfolk Island Regional Council (NIRC) document have revealed Bundaberg Regional Council (BRC) wanted a “Sister City” relationship with the island.

According to the document dated March 9, 2022, Norfolk Regional Council “accepts Bundaberg Regional Councils invitation for Norfolk Island Regional Council (NIRC) and Bundaberg Regional Council to become sister cities.”

The document reveals the NIRC became aware of BRC’s invitation at a Business Innovation and Tourism Advisory Committee (BITAC) meeting held on 24 February, 2022.

Norfolk Island Regional Council meeting minutes from March 9, 2022 reveal that the island council accepted an invitation from Bundaberg Regional Council to become a sister city.

The BITAC Committee is one of four committees NIRC officially adopted last year.

The NewsMail reached out to the island council’s General Manager, Andrew Roach about the relationship, but he remained coy around the details of the invitation.

Mr Roach confirmed the relationship with the Bundaberg council fell through.

“Unfortunately this project has not proceeded as planned,” Mr Roach said in his response, but did not elaborate on why this happened.

The NewsMail also reached out to Bundaberg Regional Council about the details of the invitation they extended to Norfolk Island and how it would have benefited the Bundaberg Region.

SPECIAL CHARM: Norfolk Island's warm, friendly people, timeless beauty and unique history makes this the perfect destination to visit at any time.

The council’s CEO Steve Johnston did not answer these questions, or reveal the motivations behind BRC’s invitation to NIRC.

“Norfolk Island was recently welcomed into the Local Government Association of Queensland as part of new administrative arrangements under which Queensland now provides the island with health and education services,” Mr Johnston said in a statement

“There is no Sister City agreement with Norfolk Island Council.

“The concept was raised for discussion but isn‘t being pursued at this time.”

Bundaberg Regional Council currently has relationships with two Sister Cities; Nanning in China and Settsu in Japan.

Originally published as Bundaberg Regional Council’s sister city relationship request falls through