Norfolk Island residents say the Australian Government is ignoring their demands and initiating a forceful takeover of the small independent island.

The Federal Government is taking back the island, with a plan to replace its stand-alone government with a regional council, administered by the government of New South Wales.

The island has been part of the Commonwealth of Australia since Federation, and has enjoyed a large degree of self-governance over its 2,300 residents. 

The Norfolk Island government has delivered its own services, including immigration functions, social services and taxation, since 1979.

But the Federal Government now believes that the island's administration should be ‘modernised’, claiming infrastructure has become run-down, the health system cannot cope and its laws are out of date.

The Federal Government says residents should be required to pay taxes to the Commonwealth, and be able to access services like Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The Federal Government passed a bill to signal the changes earlier this month, but the parliament of Norfolk Island has called for a re-examination.

Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs says the changes had broad support, and would stay in place.

The takeover will take place in the second half of 2016, with an advisory council in place until regional council election can be held.

Norfolk Island legislative assembly speaker David Buffet has told reporters that the whole thing is undemocratic.

“This is about a democratic process and democratic processes are important for one million people, 10,000 people, or [the] 1,800 people that live in Norfolk Island,” Mr Buffet said.

“It's the same principle.”

The plan to move Norfolk Island under New South Wales Government control was one particularly grating point.

“Norfolk Island is not represented in the NSW Parliament and therefore the delivery of those services in Norfolk Island will not have a direct accountability,” he said.