11 September

TSRA News Column

11 – 18 September 2007

I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of Kaiwalagal. On whose land I am writing from and all other traditional owners and elders throughout our region.

Condolence Message

On behalf of the Board Members of the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), I would like to extend our sympathies to families who are currently mourning the loss of a loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Coastal Erosion Update

As you maybe aware, there are a number of projects underway in the region which are trying to identify the best way to mitigate the impacts of erosion. This week I would like to inform you on some of the work underway to address this important issue.

One project currently in progress involves a long-term management study by researchers from James Cook University (JCU) on erosion on our cay islands of Warraber, Poruma and Masig.

JCU’s Dr Kevin Parnell recently delivered a presentation to the region’s Coastal Erosion Committee on the progress of this long-term study as well as on the proposed extension of this work to Iama over the coming months.

Dr Parnell and his team is focusing on the processes that are associated with erosion, like waves, currents and wind movement, and through their research, they aim to help affected communities to develop long-term sustainable solutions that take into consideration these natural processes and work with them, rather than against them.

Based on his work over the past year, Dr Parnell was able to present possible future scenarios based on the best known sea level predictions to date, which will help concerned island councils to better understand and plan for possible future shoreline changes. This study is continuing and a final report is due by the end of this year.

Two additional projects have also been proposed for the region. JCU’s Dr Scott Smithers, has informed the Coastal Erosion Committee of a study that he and Professor Colin Woodroffe (University of Wollongong) are conducting along the Australian coastline and wish to extend to the Torres Strait. 

The work this team does is highly regarded internationally and could play a key role in understanding likely shoreline responses to predicted rates of sea level rise in the region. 

Dr Donna Green from the University of New South Wales has also provided an overview of a proposed project which is to be funded under the Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility (MTSRF) program. 

Amongst other benefits, this study aims to build resilience and plan adaptation strategies to address possible climate change impacts through the collation of Torres Strait traditional knowledge and known western science on this important issue for our island communities.

The Committee is currently considering both of these proposed studies and will conduct further discussions on them at their next meeting.

In addition to the research projects, a submission to the Australian Government Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS) to secure funding for mitigation works on the islands of Boigu, Saibai, Warraber, Poruma and Iama was submitted in March this year.

If successful, the funds will be used to protect homes and infrastructure through large scale works involving groyne/rock walls and transferring of sand.

It is critical that all levels of Government, including our local communities, work together so that real and workable solutions can be developed to address this natural process and as soon as a decision from DOTARS on this submission is received, I will advise you of the outcome.

Personal Money Management Training

From 18 to 20 September, the Indigenous Consumer Network will be delivering two Personal Money Management workshops on Thursday Island. These workshops are designed specifically for Indigenous people to help community members to make informed decisions on matters that relate to personal finances and in particular, large purchases, like a car, dinghy or house.

Topics that will be discussed during the information sessions include Introduction to Personal Finance; Preparing a Personal Budget; Saving Money; Managing Debt; Consumer Credit; Credit Files; Banking; and Better Buying.

These subjects will be presented in detail during one two-day workshop on 18 and 19 September. For those who can not attend two full days, a one-day option providing an overview of the topics will be held on 20 September. The workshops will be held at the Island Coordinating Council’s (ICC) conference room, ground floor, Torres Strait Haus, 46 Victoria Parade, and will begin each day from 9am and end at 4pm.

For more information about these workshops, please contact the TSRA’s Economic Development Unit by 14 September, on (07) 4069 0700 or toll free 1800 079 0793. Alternatively, you can also email the team at info@tsra.gov.au or visit them at the TSRA Office, located on the first floor of Torres Strait Haus, 46 Victoria Parade Thursday Island.

New Staff at the Native Title Office

I wish to inform you that two new staff members have recently commenced employment at the TSRA’s Native Title Office (NTO).

Ms Anna Howard has joined the NTO as a Legal Officer and Ms Mary Bani is the NTO’s Project Officer.

Ms Howard has a Bachelor Degree in Law and Arts and has an extensive background in Corporate Law, after working with a law firm in Melbourne for the last five years.

Ms Bani has a Bachelor Degree in Arts (majoring in Anthropology and Archaeology) and has previously worked for the National Museum of Australia, Queensland Health, Mura Kosker Sorority and the Torres Strait Regional Healing Service.

If you require advice relating to Native Title matters, please do not hesitate to contact the staff at the NTO by telephone (07) 4069 0700 or toll free 1800 029 719.  You can also visit the NTO on the ground level of Torres Strait Haus, 46 Victoria Parade, Thursday Island and you can email the NTO via info@tsra.gov.au or write to PO Box 261, Thursday Island, Queensland 4875.

Any feedback on this column can be sent to:

Mr John. T. Kris

TSRA Chairperson

PO Box 261

Thursday Island, Qld 4875

Alternatively, feedback can also be sent through the TSRA website via the media contact in the ‘contact us’ segment of the site. Until the next column, may God bless you all and keep you safe.