Housing & Environmental Health

Program Overview: Housing and Environmental Health

The output of the Housing and Environmental Health Infrastructure Program aims to
increase the number of Indigenous people in the Torres Strait area with access to adequate housing, infrastructure facilities and essential municipal services that are consistent with, and appropriate, to their needs. This output also aims to improve environmental health standards by providing appropriate and sustainable infrastructure and ensuring that adequate environmental health programs are implemented.

This output has one program, Housing and Environmental Health and is comprised of two sub-programs:
1) Environmental Health
2) Community Housing

SUB-PROGRAM: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Objective
Through the Major Infrastructure Program (MIP), which delivers and maintains environmental health infrastructure in Torres Strait communities, the TSRA aims to improve the health and general well-being of Indigenous people living in the region. MIP delivers such infrastructure as clean water supplies and reticulated sewerage systems.

TSRA also contributes towards improved safety of the people of the region through the upgrade of community airstrips and marine infrastructure. This is achieved through TSRA funding contributions to the Queensland Department of Transport’s Transport and Infrastructure Development Strategy (TIDS).

MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

Description
The Major Infrastructure Program (MIP) works to deliver essential, appropriate and
sustainable environmental health infrastructure in 15 outer island communities and the two Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) communities of Bamaga and Seisia. As such, MIP is of vital importance to the health and well-being of the Indigenous people of the region.

The MIP is jointly and equally funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, and is administered by a MIP Management Committee comprising of representatives from the TSRA, the Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation (DLGPSR), the Island Coordinating Council (ICC), and the MIP Program Manager.

Since its inception in 1998 this successful program has achieved substantial and real outcomes. The first three 3-year MIP stages (1998-1999 to 2006-2007) have delivered water supplies, reticulated sewerage, subdivisional developments, roads, drainage and waste management projects across the entire region. These initiatives have had substantial and tangible impacts on health, quality of life and overall community sustainability in the Torres Strait region, and reflect the success of the whole-of-government partnership that guides MIP.

Over the nine year MIP period, the Australian and Queensland Governments have jointly provided a total of $93 million.

MIP Stage 4 Funding
In September 2006, parallel submissions were put to the Australian and Queensland Governments by TSRA and DLGPSR seeking to extend MIP for a further four years ($14 million per year from each government for the four year period 2007-2008 to 2010-2011 - i.e. a total of $56 million each). In response, the Commonwealth approved a sum of $6m per year for the first two years (i.e. $12 million). It has been confirmed that the Queensland Government will at least match this Commonwealth commitment.

Achievements
MIP 3
- The Project Construction Contract for St Pauls and Kubin (Moa) Sewerage was awarded to construction  firm Kenfrost on 30 March 2007 and work commenced 30 April 2007.
- The Regional Mobile Desalination Plant Dauan Wash-down Slab Construction contract was awarded on 30 March 2007.
- Work commenced on Bamaga sub-division project on 23 April 2007.
- The Design and Documentation for Ugar Roads Stage 2 has been completed. Construction of Stage 1 of Ugar roads has been completed.
- The Design and Documentation for Masig Bores and Sewerage is complete. Tenders are currently being assessed and Tender Reports prepared for the Masig Sewerage Project.
- The Design Reports have been submitted and Designs are complete for Mabuiag Water and Sewerage, and Warraber Sewerage projects.
- The Iama Island Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) upgrade work is now complete and the STP is meeting licensing requirements.

MIP 1 and MIP 2
- MIP 2 works on Badu, Kubin, Hammond, Saibai and Mabuiag have been completed and finalized following the 12 month defects liability period on these works.
- A Contract Variation was awarded to Boigu Island Council for construction of the Dau Street drain and the rectification of the low road carriageway that holds water outside the Council chambers (this work is additional to the MIP 2 scope). Works commenced on this drain during mid October 2006. These works have now been completed.
- Rubbish tip upgrades being undertaken by Remote Area Civil Earthmoving have been very well received by the Communities. Works have been completed on Iama, Saibai, Dauan, Erub, Masig, Hammond, Kubin and St Pauls, Poruma, Ugar, Mabuiag and Badu. Warraber and Boigu works are being completed as In House Bids.
- Native Title issues have been addressed and survey and geotechnical investigations have been completed for the Horn Island (Wasaga) Sewerage Project. Design and documentation has been completed and tenders have been called.
A summary of the status of MIP projects can be found in the TSRA 2006-2007 Annual Report.

WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE INFRASTRUCTURE

Description
To assist island communities with the operation and maintenance of water supply and sewerage services, so that their ongoing capacity for infrastructure maintenance is strengthened, and that there are improved health, economic, and social outcomes for these communities.

Achievements
The TSRA contributed $1.6 million to the Island Co-ordinating Council in 2006-2007 for the continued support and maintenance of water supply and sewerage infrastructure in the region.

Outlook for 2007- 2008
TSRA will continue to assist the Island Coordinating Council Infrastructure Support Unit (ICCISU) by contributing $1.7 million towards operation and maintenance of water supplies and sewerage services in island communities.

AIRSTRIPS AND MARINE UPGRADES

Description
To upgrade airstrips and marine facilities on island communities so that access to these
remote communities is enhanced along with improvements to aviation and marine safety,
health, economic and social outcomes.

Achievements
The TSRA contributed $1.1 million towards the Airstrip and Marine Upgrade Program in 2006-2007. The Program has provided vital infrastructure to Torres Strait island communities which has in turn contributed substantially toward improving the quality of life for the people of the region.

Moreover, the local economy has gained from year-round access to communities, with visitor movements enhancing business opportunities. Residents have also benefited by being able to safely and efficiently commute between islands to attend family and cultural events.

General maintenance has been provided for marine infrastructure including jetties, barge ramps and berthing dolphins. Progress in replacement or upgrade of dolphins has been made at Hammond, Moa, Erub, Warraber and Iama Island communities, and upgrading of dolphins at Badu, Mabuiag, Boigu and Moa (St Pauls) is in the design stage. With completion of the Yam Island airstrip in August 2006 all Torres Strait Island community airstrips are now sealed. Going forward, the program will focus on marine and local road
upgrades. The Program works closely with the Heavy Equipment and Management Training Program (HEMTP) and, like the Major Infrastructure Program (MIP), has a substantial and beneficial impact on local employment and capacity building.

Outlook for 2007-2008
For 2007-2008, TSRA will continue to contribute towards the Department of Transport’s Torres Strait Airstrip and Marine Upgrade Program by providing a total of $1 million. This is comprised of $600,000 for Transport Infrastructure Projects and $400,000 for the Horn Island Airport Runway extension.

Transport Infrastructure Projects: The Program is yet to be finalized but will focus on marine infrastructure now that all island airstrips have been sealed.

Horn Island Airport Runway Extension: In order for larger and more efficient aircraft with increased capacity to operate in and out of Horn Island (the central airport for the region), the main runway needs to be extended and its surface strengthened. The estimated cost for this work is in the order of $1.7 million. The Airport owner and operator, the Torres Shire Council (TSC) is responsible for this project. The Department of Transport has undertaken to fund half of the eventual cost of the project. TSC will contribute $400,000 and the remainder will be raised by TSC.

SUB-PROGRAM: COMMUNITY HOUSING

Objective
To maximise the provision of adequate and appropriate housing for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living in the Torres Strait region by monitoring agencies responsible for Indigenous housing, and coordinating planning and delivery of housing services through the Joint Torres Strait Housing and Infrastructure (JTSHI) Agreement and Committee.

Description
Notwithstanding its expiration in late 2005, the Joint Torres Strait Housing and Infrastructure Agreement continues to provide the framework for the planning, coordination and delivery of housing and infrastructure programs in the Torres Strait. The parties to the Agreement are the Australian Government, the Queensland Government, the Island Coordinating Council (ICC) and TSRA. Clause 9 of the Agreement provides for a Joint Torres Strait Housing and Infrastructure Committee (JTSHIC) with a membership comprising of one Australian Government representative, two Queensland Government representatives, one TSRA representative, and one Island Coordinating Council (ICC) representative.

The TSRA provides Secretariat support for JTSHIC and TSRA Chairperson, Mr Kris, currently sits as JTSHIC Chairperson. A new approach to strategic coordination of housing and infrastructure delivery in the Torres Strait is being developed by the current JTSHIC members.

Achievements
Four JTSHIC meetings were held during 2006-2007, and JTSHIC continued its valuable work in Housing and Infrastructure coordination and planning.

The TSRA, together with other JTSHI partners are currently awaiting the release of the
Queensland Department of Housing sponsored review of housing and town planning carried out by SGS Economics and Planning in May 2007. It is expected that this report will identify issues affecting housing and make recommendations to address the shortage of housing in the region. This will enable all stakeholders to move ahead with coordinated and effective measures to address regional Indigenous housing issues.

Similarly, the JTSHI partners are currently awaiting the establishment of the Torres Strait
Island Regional Council and Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council which is expected to replace the Island Coordinating Council (ICC) and all Island Councils in 2008. Once these new bodies are up and running it is anticipated that TSRA and the JTSHI partners will be able to develop a Regional Housing Strategy/Plan that will address all current Indigenous housing issues.

Another focus area is the critical issue of Indigenous home ownership on communal title
lands (mainly Deeds of Grant in Trust or DOGIT areas in the Torres Strait). Among other
impediments such as housing finance issues, there are legislative changes required before
all of these issues can be fully resolved. TSRA is monitoring developments in this area with a view to advancing Indigenous home ownership when an appropriate tenure arrangement can be established on island communities.

SUB PROGRAM
The Asian Tiger Mosquito Control Project
Objective
This program is aimed at controlling the Asian Tiger Mosquito population in the region thereby decreasing the incidence of Dengue fever and other mosquito borne diseases.

Description
In February 2007, TSRA and the Department of Family, Community Services, and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to fund the “Asian Tiger Mosquito Control Project.”

This $1.08 million project is being delivered by the Island Coordinating Council (ICC) who will work together with Island Councils and Queensland Health to take the necessary measures to help control the Asian Tiger Mosquito population in the region. FaCSIA will contribute $880,000 (2006-2007), and TSRA will contribute $200,000 (over 2006-2007 and 2007-2008). The project will commence in June 2007 and will run until March 2008. TSRA will also assist in coordinating the project’s activities with the Major Infrastructure Program (MIP) and the Joint Torres Strait Housing and Infrastructure Committee (JTSHIC).

The Program and Project Manager is the Island Coordinating Council (ICC) and the program will be run in accordance with a Regional Operational Plan that addresses control of the Asian Tiger Mosquito in the Torres Strait. The lead Agency will be Queensland Health (Cairns Tropical Population Health Unit), while Island Councils will carry out most of the work on the ground.

Other agencies such as the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service, QBuild, DLGPSR, the Department of Housing and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (ATSIP) will also participate.

This Program along with other initiatives being delivered by Queensland Government agencies, has largely contributed to an increased awareness of this threat and better preventative measures to control outbreaks of Dengue Fever.

Outlook for 2007-2008
In its bid to control the region’s Asian Tiger Mosquito population and reduce the associated health risks, it is expected that by its completion in March 2008, this project will have covered all solid waste facilities, collected, relocated and/or disposed of possible water collecting items, cleaned and repaired all roof guttering, screened water tanks, removed damaged tanks, and repaired external leaking taps. Communities will also have been made aware of measures that need to be taken to control mosquito breeding on a continuing basis. It is anticipated that these measures will continue to maintain the low number of incidence of dengue fever and other mosquito borne diseases in the region.