Chairperson's Report

INTRODUCTION
Following another exciting and challenging year for the Torres Strait region, I am pleased to present the 2006-2007 Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Report of Operations under Section 9 of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997.

I extend my thanks to the TSRA Board and Administration for their dedication, commitment and efforts during the past year in ensuring the TSRA functioned efficiently. During this time, the TSRA progressed some major issues and continued to work successfully towards positive results for the Torres Strait region.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
To enable long term, viable economic and financial sustainability in our Torres Strait communities, economic development continues to be a high priority area for the TSRA.

The TSRA offers the Home Ownership Program, Business Funding Scheme and the Community Economic Initiatives Schemes, and through these programs our people and communities are continuing to benefit by building up their economic independence.

The TSRA continues to cooperatively work in close partnership with both the Queensland Government and private sector to enable positive outcomes to be achieved in business development for the Torres Strait.

During the past year, the TSRA Executive travelled to the Top Western, Western, Eastern and Central cluster groups as well as the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) to meet with Community Councils and individuals with a focus on economic development and through this process, I am pleased that many people are now considering the progression of their own business initiatives.

THE GAB TITUI CULTURAL CENTRE
In April 2007, the Gab Titui Central Centre celebrated its third birthday and continues to maintain a high profile. During this past year, the Centre has strengthened its reputation as being an outstanding Indigenous cultural facility, winning for the second year in a row, the title of Queensland’s best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism entity at the 2006 State Tourism Awards. In addition, Gab Titui Cultural Centre was also a finalist in both the 2007 Australian Tourism Awards and the 2006 Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards, and also received a High Commendation in the Queensland Government’s 2007 Reconciliation Business Awards for emerging businesses.

Over the last year, there has been an increased number of visitors to the Cultural Centre and cruise ship visits have increased from an average of 9 back in 2004 to 17 in 2006. The First Pearlers Exhibition, Dennis Nona’s “Sesserae” Exhibition, and a visual arts exhibition that coincided with the Third Birthday showcasing artists from almost every community in the Torres Strait are but a few examples of the major attractions at Gab Titui. It is pleasing to note that the range of exhibitions held has been a positive vehicle for our renowned and emerging artists to showcase their work not only locally but also to the wider national and international arenas.

Gab Titui Cultural Centre hosted a visit by popular Aboriginal Celebrity chef, Mark Olive as well as hosting the filming of the documentary “4”, depicting Vivaldi’s Four Seasons throughout the world.

The Gab Titui Cultural Centre together with the Poruma Island Resort was invited to participate at the first ever Aboriginal Experiences Roadshow in Europe and the United Kingdom in late February and early March by Indigenous Tourism Australia. The Roadshow was an excellent opportunity for the Torres Strait region, Gab Titui Cultural Centre and Poruma Island Resort to be exposed and promoted to the European tourism market.

ARTS DEVELOPMENT
The TSRA continues to work with Arts Queensland and through matching funding has been able to support ten arts projects through the Indigenous Regional Arts Development Fund (IRADF) under the categories of traditional and contemporary music, visual arts workshops, documenting significant events and traditional crafts.

FISHERIES
Since our last Annual Report, there have been some major achievements within fisheries management for the Torres Strait Region. The TSRA is a formal Member of the Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA), working equally beside the Australian and Queensland Ministers to progress fisheries issues in the Torres Strait region. As part of this forum, the TSRA, with the Community Fisher representatives,
continues to play an active role in its meeting processes to drive the aspirations of our community fishers.

At its most recent meeting, the PZJA committed to move quota for Tropical Rock Lobster and Finfish as far as possible in favour of the Traditional Inhabitants Boat licence holders and negotiations are currently underway to progress these matters further. Community and fisher representative views were sought during Stakeholder Engagement Sessions conducted by the PZJA at Masig and Badu Island communities during April 2007.

I express my appreciation to the Community Fisher Group for their participation and input into progressing fisheries matters for the Torres Strait.

ENVIRONMENT
The Australian and Queensland Government Ministers invited the TSRA to play a lead role in coordinating the delivery of the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) and the National Landcare Programs in the Torres Strait region. The objectives of the NHT are biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of natural resources, and community capacity-building and institutional change.

TSRA continues to participate in the implementation of the Land & Sea Management Strategy for Torres Strait. This Strategy forms the framework for the delivery of land and sea management initiatives, NHT and other sources of funding for environmental projects in the region. It is also useful in terms of encouraging the alignment of government and research effort to support land and sea management priorities at both the regional and local level.

The Land & Sea Management Unit (LSMU) has been operational for 12 months now and coordinates the delivery of land and sea management initiatives to support communities in accessing financial and technical support, as well as information about the sustainable management of their environment. LSMU continues to play a valuable role in supporting communities to manage their land and seas sustainably.

Eight staff work within the Unit, including a Manager, Regional Natural Resource Management Facilitator, Community Liaison Officer, Dugong & Turtle Project Facilitator, Dugong & Turtle Liaison Officer, Landcare Officer, Land Management Field Officer, and Administration Officer. The LSMU is currently coordinating the delivery of 18 projects, including regional-scale, local and cross-regional projects for land and sea management, as well as research initiatives in the region. Additional funds have also been sourced from the Marine and Tropical Research Program coordinated by the Reef and Rainforest Research consortium.

Dugong and Turtle Management
TSRA represents one of five regions across northern Australia participating in an NHT funded Dugong & Marine Turtle Management Project, coordinated through the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA). This project is supporting communities to move towards sustainable management approaches for dugongs and marine turtles, through the development of community management plans, monitoring activities, education and awareness-raising programmes.

With funding available under the NAILSMA project, along with additional funding from the Minister for Fisheries, TSRA is supporting eight communities to participate in the project.

We will continue to work in close collaboration with communities, Traditional Owners, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, and all project partners to ensure the objectives of this important project are realised.

NATIVE TITLE
Over the last year, the TSRA Native Title Office (NTO) has continued to assist Traditional Owners, Prescribed Body Corporates and Island Councils with native title and related matters.

Land Claims
The NTO is continuing to assist the Traditional Owners of the four remaining land claims over the uninhabited islands Zuizin, Naghir, Raine Island and Warral & Ului reach determination. To date, the NTO has provided assistance to 19 of the 26 determinations made over land and waters in the Torres Strait region.

Torres Strait Sea Claim
Work has been continuing on the Regional Sea Claim and remains a priority area for the Native Title Office. In July 2006, Justice French was allocated the Torres Strait Regional Sea Claim and travelled to Thursday Island for a directions hearing. The sea claim remains in mediation and mediation conferences have been convened by the National Native Title Tribunal and the Native Title Office between the parties. Anthropological research required for the claim has been complex but has been progressing and work will continue over the coming months.

The TSRA has accepted an offer from the Minister to be re-recognised as the Native Title Representative Body for our region for a further six years. I take this opportunity to thank the staff of the Native Title Office for their continued dedication and assistance to the Torres Strait in progressing native title matters over the last year.

HEALTH IN THE TORRES STRAIT
This year has been a significant one in health. In July, the formal signing and launch of the Torres Strait Health Framework Agreement by both the Australian and Queensland Governments, the TSRA, Island Coordinating Council and the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area District Health Council took place. The signing of the Agreement demonstrates a whole of government commitment towards the improvement of our health status in the region. The TSRA remains an active member of the Torres Strait Health Partnership Forum and provides input into key health issues related to the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area.

Dengue remains a key environmental health issue for the Torres Strait Regional Authority. TSRA provided funds for the development of a Strategic Plan for the control of dengue. Additional funding was also provided to the Asian Mosquito Prevention Project in partnership with the Australian Government Department of Families, Communities and Indigenous Affairs towards the control of this mosquito.

MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (MIP)
The Major Infrastructure Program (MIP) continues to achieve real outcomes by improving the quality of environmental health infrastructure in the Torres Strait region. This program is a good example of what a whole of government approach can achieve and is jointly funded by both the Australian and Queensland Governments. MIP works closely with the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme, the Airstrip and Marine Upgrade Program and the Heavy Equipment Management and Training Program that have built community and Council capacity, providing employment and training opportunities for many Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people in our communities.

This year was the final one in MIP Stage 3 and thus far the program has delivered water supplies, reticulated sewerage, subdivisional developments, roads, drainage and waste management projects through the Torres Strait and NPA communities. The TSRA was also successful in securing a total of $12m in further funds from the Australian Government for two years (2007-2008 and 2008-2009) to continue MIP rolling out.

Initiatives throughout the Major Infrastructure Program have contributed positively and enhanced living standards for people in the Torres Strait region.

AIRSTRIPS AND MARINE UPGRADES
To enhance the safety and accessibility of Torres Strait communities, the TSRA continued to work closely with the Queensland Department of Transport (QT) to upgrade airstrips throughout the region. In August, a major community and aviation milestone was achieved with the opening of the final sealed airstrip for our region at Iama Island.

The sealed airstrips not only contribute towards community development and aviation safety but also towards improving the quality of life for the people in our region allowing accessibility to communities during the monsoon season.

In addition to air links, our communities are also reliant on safe sea links and TSRA in partnership with the QT has now begun focusing of the upgrade of berthing dolphins. The upgrade of community roads will be another focus of this program in the upcoming year.

COASTAL EROSION AND INUNDATION
With the significant impacts of island erosion and tidal surges on Torres Strait communities, the TSRA continues to work in partnership with communities, the State Government and university stakeholders on long term solutions to address these problems through the Coastal Erosion and Inundation Steering Committee. The Steering Committee develops strategic focus and a pathway to assist Community Councils address coastal erosion and island flooding issues.

The Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has now completed rapid assessment technical reports for the six communities listed as the highest priorities whilst the James Cook University has extended their NHT funded project on the long term impacts prior to projecting the changes that have occurred in the past in order to do remedial works necessary in the communities. An application was submitted to the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS), through the Island Coordinating Council’ s Infrastructure Support Unit for continued work and we are currently awaiting their response.

It is expected that in the upcoming year, through the Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility (MTSRF), a Climate Change Project will be conducted by the University of New South Wales that will assist the work currently being conducted for island erosion. Another project designed to study historical variations in sea level change is also proposed for 2007-2008. This research will be conducted by leading scientists from the University of Wollongong and James Cook University and will compliment current studies.

TORRES STRAIT TREATY
The TSRA remains committed to engaging in the Treaty process to ensure that the interests of our people are protected under the Treaty and continues to work closely in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other Australian and Queensland Government agencies in matters relating to the Torres Strait Treaty.

REGIONAL GOVERNENCE
Following the release of the Queensland Government’s paper on Community Government in the Torres Strait, The Way Forward, in April this year, there are considerable implications for the Torres Strait region and a submission was forwarded to the Queensland Local Government Reform Commission outlining our concerns and TSRA’s legislative responsibilities in this regard.

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
The TSRA began community consultation visits in 2006-2007. The purpose of the visits are to inform Councils and community members on the TSRA’s role, programs and services, as well as to hold direct and open discussions on current community issues with representatives from the TSRA, which include myself, the General Manager Mr Wayne See Kee, and a nominated Portfolio Member.

During the past year, community consultations were conducted for the:
- Top Western and Near Western Islands: 23-25 August 2006
(hosted by Boigu and Mabuiag Islands)
- Northern Peninsula Area: 25 September 2006
(hosted by Bamaga Community)
- Eastern and Central Islands: 17-19 April 2007
(hosted by Darnley and Iama Islands)

More community consultation visits are planned for 2007-2008.

CONCLUSION
In reviewing this past year, the TSRA Board has had to make comprehensive decisions that have resulted in positive impacts on our communities. There have been challenges that have confronted the Board, and I extend my thanks to the TSRA Members and the TSRA Executive Members for working through and progressing these issues to achieve the best outcomes for our Torres Strait communities.

I also express my sincere thanks to the TSRA Management and Administration for their commitment and dedication over the last year in ensuring that the TSRA and the Board has functioned effectively and efficiently, whilst progressing regional goals and delivering positive outcomes for our region.

With Queensland Local Government elections planned for March 2008, a new TSRA
Board will come into effect shortly afterwards and I take this opportunity to also thank all stakeholders, including the region’s Elders, Island Councils, Traditional Owners, Prescribed Bodies Corporate, Community Fisher Group, community members, partner agencies and organisations, for working in partnership with the TSRA to build a strong future for the Torres Strait.