27 March

TSRA News Column
27 March - 03 April 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. 

Coastal Erosion Update

As you maybe aware, a Coastal Erosion Committee for the Torres Strait was established last year. The Committee is Chaired by myself and members include Government agencies, affected Island Councils, scientists and researchers.

The Committee’s first meeting for the year was held on 12 March and members were briefed on the various initiatives underway in the region, which are trying to find ways to mitigate against some of the impacts of these natural coastal processes.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided an update on its Rapid Assessment Report. Last year, the EPA visited the communities of Boigu, Masig, Saibai, Poruma, Warraber and Iama to identify and recommend priority mitigation works needed on each island.

To ensure that participating communities are well informed of the initial results of the EPA study, officers from the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and the Island Coordinating Council visited these islands in January to consult with local Councils and community members and discuss the EPA’s draft findings.

This was an opportunity for the communities ask questions about the study as well as to analyse and provide feedback on the draft Report. This feedback has been passed on to the EPA to take into consideration in their final Report.

There is also another study on the long-term management of erosion on our Cay Islands (Warraber, Poruma and Masig) currently being undertaken by researchers and scientists from James Cook University. This study is looking at the processes associated with erosion, like ocean currents, wind and wave action.

This research aims to identify the underlying causes of coastal erosion on these islands which will assist to develop long-term sustainable solutions that will work with, rather than against the natural processes.

The TSRA’S Land and Sea Management Unit is also working with partner agencies to begin drafting submissions for funding to assist with addressing the worst and most immediate impacts of erosion on some of our islands – I will keep you informed should the proposals be successful.

In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the island councils and communities who have been working with the various research teams, your valuable input will assist to develop real long-term solutions which will help our families to deal with this natural process.

Housing

I am aware that the access to appropriate housing is of a concern to the wellbeing of our people, and I would like to advise you that this issue remains as a top priority for the TSRA.

With our increased population, combined with the costs associated with transportation and building in our remote location, our communities are experiencing housing shortages and overcrowding.

TSRA is making every effort to ensure that there are opportunities for our communities and people to have access to new housing.

We are working with partner agencies to develop opportunities for improved housing and home ownership in the region.

Through initiatives like the TSRA delivered Major Infrastructure Program, communities like Mer and Hammond Islands, have recently benefited from new serviced housing lots being established.

In addition the TSRA operates a Home Ownership scheme, which provides home and land loans on freehold land at concessionary interest rates to our people.

The aim of this Program is to provide home ownership to the Indigenous residents of our region through home loans, which in turn, will help to increase the economic status and social wellbeing of our communities.

TSRA believes a whole of government approach is needed to develop and implement a long-term solution to address the housing needs of the Torres Strait and we are committed to work in partnership with all stakeholders to address this important issue.

New TSRA Arts Development Officer

I would like to inform you that Ms Georgina Dann has recently commenced employment as the TSRA’s Arts Development Officer.

Ms Dann has a Bachelor in Visual and Fine Arts and has worked in the arts field for the last seven years in both Australia and the United Kingdom (UK). Her experience includes employment at the Museum of Contemporary Arts, the Australia Council of the Arts’ Visual Arts Board and working with the exhibition team at the UK’s Foundation for the Arts and Creative Technology.

In the role of Arts Development Officer, Georgina will be visiting and working with our communities to identify and create opportunities for the region’s artists and crafts-people to develop themselves as well as to promote and showcase Torres Strait’s arts and culture.

Ms Dann’s position is based at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre. Should you wish to find out how she can assist you and your community to develop in the area of arts and craft, you can visit her at the Centre, located on the corner of Blackall Street and Victoria Parade. Alternatively, you can also contact her via telephone (07) 4090 2130, fax (07) 4090 2145.

Any feedback for 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.
John T. Kris
TSRA Chairperson