28 February

TSRA News Column

28 February  – 7 March 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. 

Condolences to our Bereaved Families

On behalf of the Board Members of the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), I would like to extend our sympathies to families across the Torres Strait, who are currently mourning the loss of a family member.

The TSRA has also lost a member of its workforce, with the passing of Corporate Services Manager, Mr Ray Abbott.

Ray had recently commenced employment at the TSRA and in that short period had become a valued staff member and colleague to many within the TSRA Administration.

I would like to pass on my condolences to Mr Abbott’s family and to all the families across the region, who have recently lost a loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Major Infrastructure Program Producing Good Health Outcomes

Recent data from the Queensland Notifiable Conditions Database has revealed that water and hygiene related infectious diseases in the region have halved since the commencement of the Major Infrastructure Program (MIP) in 1998.

As explained in my previous column, MIP is managed by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and represents the Australian and Queensland Government’s $100 million commitment to install and upgrade the region’s essential infrastructure.

Statistics from the Database show that hygiene related communicable illnesses, such as Shigellosis, Salmonella and Hepatitis A, have decreased, from about 40 cases presented per year in 1996, to less than 20 cases in 2006.

This indicates that the improved environmental health facilities provided though MIP, are playing a key role in reducing the incidences of these diseases, especially when combined with health education, awareness and immunisation interventions.

Living conditions play an important role in the health and well being of our families and it is well documented that good sanitation, clean water and hygiene behaviour determine health and quality of life outcomes.

Through almost a decade of hard work, MIP has begun to transform the region’s environmental health infrastructure – our communities have access to clean and safe drinking water, sewerage treatment plants, flushing toilets and serviced housing lots.

However, there is more to be done until living standards in the Torres Strait are comparable to that in mainstream Australia, and it is vital that MIP continues this life-changing work.

Envirofund Opportunities for Torres Strait

The Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust is currently inviting individuals and communities to apply for assistance through its Envirofund.

The Envirofund provides grants of up to $50,000, for natural resource management projects that benefit the public. Projects that have been funded in the past include fencing, erosion control, habitat protection, awareness raising activities and pest and weed control.

Environfund have indicated that in this round of grants, there is an increased focus on funding coastal and marine activities which maintain the health of foreshores, beaches and estuaries.

This is a great opportunity for individuals, groups and organisations to seek financial support to help their community manage and preserve their natural environment.

Application forms and guidelines are currently available and can be obtained from the Envirofund website www.nht.gov.au/envirofund or by telephoning the Natural Heritage Trust on 1800 065 823. Closing date for submissions is Friday, 27 April.

If you need assistance with lodging your Envirofund application or would like some advice, you can also contact the TSRA’s Land and Sea Management Unit (LSMU) by telephone (07) 4069 2957, fax (07) 4069 2967 or email info@tsra.gov.au. Alternatively, you can also visit the LSMU Office, which is adjacent to the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, corner Blackall Street and Victoria Parade.

New TSRA Land and Sea Management Unit Community Liaison Officer

I would like to inform you that Mr Vic McGrath has recently commenced work at the TSRA’s Land and Sea Management Unit in the position of Community Liaison Officer.

Mr McGrath has a good background in environmental issues, having gained extensive experience from previous employment. This includes working with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on the Torres Strait Baseline Study, taking part in the Warul Kawa Indigenous Area Program, as well as participating in several of the Island Coordinating Council’s (ICC) Natural Resource Management projects including coastal erosion and developing the ICC’s Marine Strategy.

Vic also currently sits on the National Indigenous Advisory Committee which deals with issues relating to the Environmental Protection, Biodiversity and Conservation Act.

In his new role, Vic will be visiting and working with our communities to help them participate in the development, approval and implementation land and sea management activities that will assist to sustain our natural environment.

Any feedback for my column can be sent to:

Mr. John T. Kris
TSRA Chairperson
PO Box 261
Thursday Island QLD 4875

Alternatively, feedback can be sent to me through the TSRA website via the media contact in the ‘contact us’ segment of the site.  Until my next column, may God bless you all and keep you safe.
John T. Kris
TSRA Chairperson