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Skilled Indigenous workforce delivers water storage lagoon fencing project funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments

Skilled Indigenous workforce delivers water storage lagoon fencing project

The  Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC) made a successful application in 2018 to replace water storage lagoon fencing and edging at Saibai, Warraber and Dauan under the Major Infrastructure Programme 6 (MIP-6).

The Major Infrastructure Programme 6 (MIP-6) is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments and TSIRC have announced the completion of the project.

Skills developed by TSIRC staff through previous MIP and Council projects allowed the Council to cost-effectively deliver the lagoon fencing project with a local Indigenous workforce.

Five members of TSIRC staff that will work on the fencing project undertook civil construction training in MIP-4 and 5 projects, and two of these staff have recently undertaken the Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision.

TSRA Chairperson Mr Napau Pedro Stephen AM, said the MIP Technical Management Committee supported the in-house bid by TSIRCto deliver the water storage lagoon fencing project.

It was considered value for money as the organisation has the appropriate resources plus trained and experienced staff to undertake the works, Mr Stephen said.

I would like congratulate TSIRC on delivering the water storage compound protection project.

The fact that the MIP-6 fencing project and other Council fencing work can be delivered by Indigenous staff is due to training provided by TSIRC and under previous MIP rounds.

The TSRA and our State MIP colleagues continually look for training opportunities like these to be included in MIP projects.

Queensland Minister for Local Government Stirling Hinchliffe applauded the Council on delivering the project for the community.

I congratulate the Torres Strait Island Regional Council on not only securing the funding for the project but also in using a local workforce to get the job done.

The Queensland Government is proud to contribute $15 million to this round of MIP, helping to deliver upgraded priority water and wastewater infrastructure and improving the health of local communities.