8 May

TSRA News Column
08 - 15 May 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 loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
 
New ILUA for the Region
I would like to congratulate the traditional owners of Mer Island, who have recently negotiated and registered an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) between themselves and Ergon Energy.

An ILUA is an agreement that is entered into under the Native Title Act by traditional owners who are the native title holders of a particular piece of land. It is a mechanism that allows traditional owners to legally protect their native title and at the same time, work with government and other organisations to establish much needed community infrastructure and services in the area concerned.

Following agreement from all stakeholders, an ILUA is registered with the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT). Once accepted and registered by the NNTT, the agreement is binding on all the parties and construction of the infrastructure or service can commence.

This new Agreement is the 33rd ILUA in the Torres Strait region that has been registered with NNTT. Through the hard work of the traditional owners of Mer and the Mer Gedkem Le Corporation, consent has been given by the Native Title Holders for Ergon Energy to lease a portion of land at Mer.

As a result, a new power-station plus new powerlines will be built. This will enhance Mer community’s electricity supply, providing greater access and improved essential services to the island’s people.

I wish to take this opportunity to also acknowledge the support provided by the TSRA’s Native Title Office (NTO), who assisted in progressing this ILUA by representing the traditional owners, as well as facilitating negotiations.

The NTO is here to assist our communities in Native Title matters, so if you or your community would like more information or advice in regards to Native Title, please do not hesitate to contact the NTO on telephone (07) 4069 0700, toll free 1800 029 719 or visit the office located on the ground level of Torres Strait Haus, 46 Victoria Parade, Thursday Island. Alternatively, you can also email the NTO via info@tsra.gov.au or write to the TSRA’s Native Title Office, PO Box 261, Thursday Island, Queensland 4875.

Community Water Grants Available
The Australian Government is currently seeking applications for Community Water Grants.

Up to $50,000 is available to successful groups. This is a great opportunity for groups and organisations from the region to try and obtain funds to assist with community water use initiatives.

Grants will be awarded under three categories:

• water saving and efficiency activities
• water recycling activities
• water treatment activities

Funds issued can be used for a range of activities that fall under these three categories, for example installing water saving devices in community facilities, treating and reusing grey-water or sewerage to maintain community grounds like parks and sports grounds, and for erosion control works and creek bank repairs.

If your organisation or community group would like to apply for a grant or obtain more information about the Community Water Grants, please visit www.australia.gov.au/communitywatergrants or toll free 1800 780 730. Online registrations close on 22 June 2007.

The TSRA’s Land and Sea Management Unit (LSMU) is also available to provide advice and assist you should you wish to submit an application. You can contact the LSMU by telephone (07) 4069 2957, fax (07) 4069 2967, email info@tsra.gov.au or write to the LSMU at PO Box 261, Thursday Island, Queensland 4875. If you are on Thursday Island, you can also visit their office, located on the corner of Victoria Parade and Blackall Street, adjacent to the Gab Titui Cultural Centre.

Congratulations Water-Wise Competition Winners
On Friday, 27 April, the TSRA was invited by the Island Coordinating Council’s Infrastructure Support Unit (ICCISU) to a gathering at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, to announce the winners of the Torres Strait Water-Wise logo competition.

The competition was coordinated by the region’s Water-Wise Program Manager, the ICCISU, and was supported by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and the TSRA’s Land and Sea Management Unit, in conjunction with the Queensland Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation (DLGPS&R), the Torres News and Bush TV.

The aim of the competition was to invite the public to create a logo that would be easily recognisable and at the same time, raise awareness of the importance of water.

Entries received for the competition were of a high standard and I would like to commend all those who took the time and effort to submit an entry. The following were announced as winners and I extend my congratulations to:

First Prize – Mrs Ruth Robertson
Runner-Up 1 – Mr McCauley Ghee
Runner-Up 2 – Mr George Gabbey
School Category Winner – Sacred Heart School    
Encouragement Awards:

• Ms Telcy Mooka
• Ms Subrina Seden
• Mr Gem Gigiba
• Ms Georgina Dorante
• Mr Leo Akee
• Mr Mathew Kulla Kulla          

I would also like to congratulate the ICCISU for organising this event to promote this important initiative.

May I also take this opportunity to remind you that our water supplies are dependent on the wet season, so it is imperative that reserves are used wisely.

Water management is not only an issue in our region. As many of our southern counterparts are experiencing extreme water shortages, it is important that we all become water-wise in our daily behaviour to conserve this precious resource.

Through the Torres Strait Water-Wise Campaign, the TSRA, and the ICCISU will be working with our local Water Officers and Councils to promote as well as inform communities of water preservation techniques. As community members, I encourage you to take part in this initiative and become water-wise.

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