New plan calls for climate collaboration in Torres Strait
As part of its March board meeting, the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) today (11 March 2025) launched a new plan outlining climate change risks, realities and action needed in the remote region.
The Torres Strait Regional Adaptation and Resilience Plan 2025-2030 – Yumi Create our future: Stronger Together (the Plan) highlights the need to proactively build resilience to respond to climate change challenges, from rising sea levels and environmental concerns, to heat stress impacts on human health and wellbeing.
TSRA Chairperson George Nona said the Torres Strait was on the front line of climate change, particularly the region’s low-lying island communities.
“Torres Strait Islanders are very aware of the impacts of climate change and sea level rise on our homes, culture and way of life,” Mr Nona said.
“We must take a proactive position to ensure we have the right planning, thinking and actions to ensure our region meets these challenges head on and remains strong.”
Mr Nona said climate change also had wide-ranging implications for health and wellbeing, fisheries and ecosystems, infrastructure, food and water security, as well as for culture and social cohesion.
“We need to keep a clear focus on building resilience through delivering on what’s important – healthy people and healthy country, a sustainable region, building and maintaining our cultural identity and empowering our people,” he said.
“Climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s a human rights and social justice issue.
“Understanding and responding to climate change requires collaboration not only across our region, but nationally.”
The Plan highlights that fully integrating sustainability and resilience into community and regional development is critical.
It focuses on both reducing climate risks as well as building local and regional resilience through the bespoke Torres Strait Climate Resilience Framework.
TSRA will continue working with its partners – including the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Climate Resilience Centre – to secure climate change investment and commitments for the region.
View the Plan at www.tsra.gov.au/climatechange or download here.
About TSRA
Located in the nation’s far north, TSRA is one of the most remote federal government agencies and supports programs across the region, including for 17 inhabited islands of the Torres Strait and the communities of Bamaga and Seisia on the Northern Peninsula Area of mainland Australia.
It is a statutory body and the lead Commonwealth agency in the Torres Strait for Indigenous Affairs, operating under the direction of a community-elected board.
The Torres Strait stretches 150 kilometres northwards from Cape York Peninsula to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and up to 300 kilometres from east to west. This 48,000 km² area includes more than 270 islands and reefs.
TSRA’s vision is Yumi pasin – yumi Ailan Kastom. Strong in culture, unified partnerships to achieve a sustainable future.