2008 Press Release

Torres Strait: Caring for Our Country
For Immediate Release 17/12/2008

The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) has been awarded $11,289,500 by the Australian Government Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) in an initiative to maintain the region's cultural and environmental assets through the establishment of an Indigenous Ranger Program.

The funding allocation is a slice of the $2.25 billion Caring for Our Country package being rolled out Australia-wide, aimed at integrating the delivery of the Commonwealth's Natural Heritage Trust, the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, the National Landcare Program, the Environmental Stewardship Program and the Working on Country Indigenous Land and Environmental Program.

TSRA Chairperson Mr Toshie Kris, said he was pleased that the Australian Government recognized the importance of Torres Strait's cultural and environmental heritage.

"Torres Strait Islanders have long emphasised the importance of passing down, sharing traditional knowledge and educating the broader community about the connection between our people and their land and sea," said Mr Kris.

"While formal recognition of the relationship between our people and the environment can be achieved through native title, aspirations to manage our land and sea have been difficult to realise due to complex administration and management arrangements, as well as a lack of capacity and resources within communities.

"The TSRA's Land and Sea Management Unit (LSMU) will administer these funds over the next five years to establish and support a Torres Strait Indigenous Ranger Program to work under the three Caring for our County principles of Keeping Country Healthy, Looking after Sea Country and Protecting Heritage.

"The Torres Strait Indigenous Ranger Program will be delivered in partnership with Regional Councils and Prescribed Bodies Corporates, with Mabuiag Island's ranger program the first to commence.

"It is proposed that the Program expand to include two additional communities at the beginning of 2009, then another three communities during the middle of next year and a further two communities in 2010.

"Ranger groups will be employed fulltime in each participating community and their capacity to fulfil their important roles will be built by the LSMU providing them with accredited training and skills development.

"This program will assist in monitoring and reporting on the region's environmental conditions and improve knowledge and awareness of traditional knowledge, practices and protocols.

"Over the long-term, rangers should be equipped to support their local communities and traditional owners to help overcome Indigenous disadvantage, effectively manage traditional land and sea country, assist in Torres Strait Treaty aspirations, achieve integrated sustainable use and conservation of our land and sea resources, as well as protect and conserve culture.

"I would like to thank DEWHA and also the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for their support in the development of this program.

"This is an initiative all Torres Strait Islanders should be proud of achieving and once underway, I encourage communities to support their Rangers, after all, caring for our country is critical to ensuring that our families can enjoy it for years to come," Mr Kris said.

ENDS


TSRA Media Contact: Susan Reilly 4069 0700.