The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) finalised the handover of native title services to Gur A Baradharaw Kod Sea and Land Council Torres Strait Islander Corporation (GBK) at its September Board Meeting  (6-8 September).

GBK has secured $8.6 million in native title funding in 2022-23, plus an additional $2.3 million for Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBC) Capacity Building and Economic Development (over 3 years – 20/21, 21/22, 22/23) from the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA). This record funding brings new money into the region to support jobs and community-led aspirations on native title.

For all native title enquiries for the Torres Strait region, please see contact details on GBK website gbk.org.au

Quotes attributable to TSRA Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen AM:

Since the closure of the TSRA Native Title Office on the 30 June 2022, TSRA, GBK and NIAA worked closely over the past two months to finalise the transition.  

The transition has enabled TSRA to reallocate its former native title resources to other priorities and programmes such as economic development, and culture, arts and heritage.

The TSRA congratulates GBK on its new role and its ability to hit the ground running on 1 July 2022.

Quote from TSRA Deputy Chairperson, Member for Badu and former Native Title Portfolio Member Horace Baira:
This will mark the close of the TSRA Native Title Portfolio and we acknowledge the hard work of all involved and the community support for the transition.