Protesters against the Australian Government's decision to take control of Norfolk Island are occupying the grounds of the former legislative assembly and refusing to leave.

Key points: Commonwealth will assume full control of Norfolk Island on July 1

Commonwealth will assume full control of Norfolk Island on July 1 Protesters occupy the former Legislative Assembly

Protesters occupy the former Legislative Assembly Demands for the removal of the island's Australian Government-appointed Administrator

They are angry that the Commonwealth will assume full control of the small external territory on July 1 this year.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 4 minutes 4 seconds 4 m 4 s Protesters angry over Commonwealth control of Norfolk Island from July 1 Download 7.4 MB

It is the 227th anniversary of the Mutiny on the Bounty, and many among the protesters are direct descendants of mutiny leaders.

The mutinous behaviour has gone as far as calling for the removal of the island's Australian Government-appointed Administrator.

There have also been reports of death threats, sabotage and victimisation of locals perceived to be doing the bidding of mainland authorities.

"Today on Norfolk Island our culture is under threat," John Christian said, a direct descendant of the mutiny ringleader Fletcher Christian.

On the grounds of the island's former legislative assembly, the group are protesting by occupying the space.

For 36 years the legislative assembly, which was shut down last year by the Australian Parliament, was the centre of the island's self-government, and occupying it was a spontaneous act of civil disobedience.

The protest was directed against Gary Hardgrave, a former federal Liberal MP, who has been appointed by the Australian Government to act as the island's administrator during the transition period.

'Do the right thing by voluntarily departing'

Mr Hardgrave riled the large gathering of islanders by refusing to issue a licence for a protest to be held on ground that they say they consider to be theirs.

The protest went ahead regardless.

The protesters will deliver a letter of no-confidence to Mr Hardgrave, urging him to leave the island ( ABC News: Nick Grimm )

The protest meeting culminated with a modern-day act of mutiny, with a resolution to deliver a letter of no-confidence to Mr Hardgrave, urging him to get off the island and return to mainland Australia.

"We are providing you with a final opportunity to do the right thing by voluntarily departing," said Andre Nobbs, the protest organiser from Norfolk Island People for Democracy.

Mr Hardgrave has so far been unavailable for interview about the calls for his removal and the deepening tensions on the island he administers on behalf of Australian taxpayers.

Concerns raised about growing angst on Norfolk Island

Norfolk Islanders in favour of integration with the mainland have watched on with growing apprehension as the debate over the island's future has at times become increasingly ugly.

But few have been prepared to comment publicly.

Local hotel owner Mike King said he accepts there is a lot of anger amongst Norfolk Islanders against the change, but the level of uncontrolled anger concerns him.

"I respect everyone's right to be heard and to protest, but I implore people to properly inform themselves to the background of the whole issue before they do protest," Mr King said.

"Divisions have occurred in all level of societies on the island and it's very real, it's very palpable.

"It's hurting, there are friendships which have been impacted, which I'm sure will never recover from this — not in my lifetime anyway.

"But we can only do the best we can do to heal that."