Housing & Infrastructure

Housing and basic infrastructure are fundamental requirements for the development, progress and well being of all communities. In the Torres Strait construction standards are being met, but due to the harsh climatic conditions, this is often insufficient. Overcrowding is a major issue and emergency accommodation is required to deal with current inadequacies.
 
The current joint commitment by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Torres Strait Major Infrastructure Program (MIP) is $100 million over ten years (1998-99 to 2007-08).  However, it is estimated that an additional $250 million would be needed to deliver the required environment health infrastructure in the Torres Strait.

The primary objective of MIP is to improve the health and well-being of the Torres Strait Indigenous people by providing essential, appropriate and sustainable environmental health infrastructure.  This includes water supplies, reticulated sewerage and treatment plants, serviced housing lots and essential services extensions, roads and stormwater drainage, and solid waste facilities.  TSRA has submitted a new policy proposal to the Australian Government for funds to extend MIP until 2015-16.  A similar proposal has also been put the Queensland Government.
 
The commitment of the capital works housing program has been $80 million over the past five years. While this funding pledge has been welcomed, it is estimated that $32 million alone is needed to replace dwellings that are earmarked for demolition. Simple one-for-one replacement is not sufficient, as a number of these houses are overcrowded. Homes need to be replaced by at least two structures, depending on the volume of the overcrowding. The Overcrowding Index needs to be applied, rather than assume that overcrowding is acceptable as part of extended family relationships. There is also a need for significant development in Indigenous home ownership options.
 
The housing needs of the disabled and elderly is another priority for the Torres Strait region, and along with other identified needs, would be better met by ensuring that data obtained through the government Housing Asset Management System (HAMS) process appropriately reflects available community data.
 
An Integrated Approach

The TSRA is part of the partnership framework operating under the Joint Torres Strait Housing and Infrastructure Agreement. The TSRA, the Island Coordinating Council, the Australian and Queensland Governments signed the Agreement in 1999. The Agreement takes a whole-of-government approach to the provision of housing and related infrastructure.  It provides the strategic aims and objectives for the Joint Torres Strait Housing and Infrastructure Committee (JTSHIC), which has a mandate to develop a strategic housing and infrastructure plan for the region.  The TSRA, Department of Housing and Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation jointly fund a coordinator’s position within the TSRA to manage partnership activities and provide secretariat support to the Partnership. 
 
Substantial progress has been demonstrated in the areas of joint planning and coordination of existing and new housing and infrastructure programs and TSRA plays a significant part in these processes through its added participation on interdepartmental committees.  These include the areas of major infrastructure, housing, water related services (operations and maintenance), civil construction and training.
 
TSRA Approach

TSRA delivers infrastructure strategies via MIP, also administered by TSRA, and offers collaborative input into the coordination and planning of housing and infrastructure under framework agreements. TSRA input into housing and infrastructure is also conveyed via the terms of reference and strategic aims of several interdepartmental committees.
 
TSRA is working with appropriate government agencies towards developing and implementing a four-year Torres Strait Regional Housing Plan and ensuring that housing and infrastructure needs, outlined in Community Development Plans are given full consideration.
 
The TSRA will continue to work with partners, community councils, other stakeholders and responsible government agencies, to improve capacity for community councils to ensure ongoing maintenance requirements and cost effective, coordinated and efficient delivery of housing and infrastructure programs and services are being met.
 
Regional stakeholders will be encouraged to coordinate housing and infrastructure data collection activities and make the data available to each other, while on a community level the TSRA will continue to foster values, ideals and options for increasing home ownership throughout the Torres Strait region.
 
More detailed information on this and other regional issues concerning the TSRA Board is available through the TSRA Development Plan for 2005 – 2009.