Torres News Chairperson’s Column Edition 19 November 2010 I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of Kaiwalagal on whose land I am writing from and all other traditional owners and elders past and present throughout our region.
Change of season highlights concerns about rising sea levels for vulnerable Torres Strait communities As we see the commencement of the wet season and the annual king tide predicted for 17 February, people living in vulnerable Torres Strait communities are very concerned as to how they will manage this impact on their precious homes, culture and food crops. Over the last twelve months we have continued to made progress towards the longer term solutions for rising sea levels and their impacts on Torres Strait communities by working closely with our partners TSIRC and TSC. What this means is that the Torres Strait region is now in a position where we have the necessary coastal research and coastal land-use planning data required by funders and assessment agencies to justify the investment required to address coastal erosion and flooding issues. Some people think our rising sea levels are due to a naturally occurring environmental cycle. There is now good evidence that sea levels are rising faster than expected, and due to climate change they will continue to rise for many centuries. What we don’t know with certainty is how rapidly this will occur. So now, yet again, the TSRA has placed an urgent request to both the Australian and Queensland Governments for funding to commence and finalise the urgent works required. I speak to you as both TSRA Chairperson and a TSIRC Councillor and I can reassure everyone living in the Torres Strait that TSRA, TSC and TSIRC have done everything possible to try and gain the urgent funding required. We are all working closely together through the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Regional Plan 2009 – 2029 (signed by myself, Mayor Gela, Mayor Stephens and Mayor Elu in July 2009) and also the Coastal Management Committee (meets 3 times per year) to create both short term and long term action plans to address this issue permanently. It’s also important for communities to understand the role the TSRA, TSIRC and TSC hold in managing the rising sea level impacts. Councils such as TSIRC and TSC ultimately are responsible for community safety and implement measures as required (specified under Queensland Government legislation), and the TSRA’s role is to support Council’s where possible through lobbying for funding, commissioning research and monitoring, and raising Australian Government and community awareness of the issue. This has been a difficult time for everyone but the TSRA, TSIRC and TSC continue to work closely together in partnership to find a permanent solution that will be the best outcome for our vulnerable communities. As always, there is strength in unity.
Until the next column, may God bless you all and keep you safe. Mr John. T. Kris Chairperson Torres Strait Regional Authority