TSRA NEWS No.81 December 2006/January 2007

Our Vision: To empower our people to determine their own affairs based on our unique Ailan Kastom bilong from which we draw our unity and strength. www.tsra.gov.au

MerIsland Road Crewcontributing directlyto their TheKubin Art Centre opened in June Thesucessful HammondIsland fuel bowser community's development 2006 in Review by TSRA Chairperson Mr Toshie Kris

positive outcomes for our people in Funding for new and upgraded 2006. sporting infrastructure was secured in From L to R: Iama Island Council Chairman, Mr Walter Mackie, is congratulated by TSRA Deputy Chair, In this final TSRA Newsletter for the partnership with the Mr Fred Gela, on the community's sealed airstrip year, I would like to share some of the Department of Local Government, achievements experienced this year. Planning, Sport and Recreation (DLGPS&R). As a result, upgrading of the Tamwoy (on ) and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Ugar Island courts, and the Dauan TSRA's Economic Development Sports Ground began, plus a major multi-purpose sporting facility is also TSRAChairperson, Mr Toshie Kris Program produced some outstanding results in 2006. Funding was provided now under construction on Horn for the Community Development Island. The Torres Strait Regional Authority Employment Program (CDEP) and in The Arts were again supported in (TSRA) continued to work toward addition TSRA assisted individuals, 2006, with the Kubin Arts Centre strengthening the economic, social groups and communities through its opened in June, a joint project and cultural development of the region Grants and Home Loan Program, between TSRA and the Queensland Roads were sealed at in 2006 and maintained a whole of Business Funding Scheme (BFS) and Department of State Development government approach by working in Community Economic Initiatives and Innovation. TSRA also worked partnership with all stakeholders, Scheme (CEIS), to produce positive with Arts Queensland to deliver including our communities, to address economic, social and cultural the Indigenous Regional Arts areas of major concern. outcomes throughout the year. Development Fund (IRADF). I would like to thank the TSRA Board This year, 19 CDEP's operated in our Individuals and groups received for their ongoing support throughout region, involving approximately 2000 funding for professional, skill and the year. In particular, I would like community members. CDEP assisted concept development, like art and to acknowledge the valuable our people to participate in community dance workshops, and the recording contribution of the Executive activities as an alternative to and marketing of TorresStrait music. Members, who actively participated to unemployment benefits. Some of the Following the success of the produce new policies and provide activities undertaken by participants Hammond Island Fuel Bowser, a direction for the TSRA this year. included community beautification, further three islands (Dauan, Boigu I also would like to commend the TSRA road and drainage works, arts and and ), will have similar General Manager, Mr Wayne See Kee, crafts, business operations and facilities in operation by early 2007, for his leadership of the TSRA horticulture. Participants contributed with installation well under way. Fuel Administration, and I would like to directly to community development bowsers at Ugar, Mer and Poruma are thank the TSRA staff, for their and at the same time, obtained training planned for the next stage of the commitment toward delivering resulting in a skilled local workforce. project.

CONTENTS

2006 Review Introduction 1 Health 3 Fisheries 4-5 Flood mitigation works at Boigu Island New serviced housing lots were completed at Hammond Island Economic Development 1-2 Land & Sea Management 3-4 Major Infrastructure Program 5 Gab Titui Cultural Centre 2 CRC Torres Strait 4 Marine & Airstrip Program 6 Native Title 3 2006 Review Conclusion 6 02. TSRA NEWS

Continued from page 1: The Badu quarry was also expanded In the area of hospitality, construction this year and extensions were also of the Warraber Island Motel began in made on the Seisia Supermarket as 2006. In addition, works began on the well as 6 new high quality cabins being Boigu Guesthouse and the Saibai installed at the Seisia Camping Ground. Takeaway. Meanwhile, the operations of the Poruma Island Resort and Masig Island's Lowatta Lodge were enhanced with the provision of support boats and vehicles. On Ugar Island, safe and faster sea transportation for community Anew ferrywas delivered to Ugar Community in July Traditional Owners with TSRA representatives celebrate members was enhanced when a new their Native Title win ferry was delivered in July and in addition the island's fishers can now taking it elsewhere after a new large Extensions were madeto Seisia Supermarket store their catch on Ugar instead of scale freezer facility was opened. LSMU's Natural Resource Management Facilitator, Ms Miya Isherwood (centre) working with Rangers from Hammond Island

GAB TITUI CULTURAL CENTRE In November, the Tropical North crafts people, by holding workshops oreyTre News Torres Courtesy Queensland Tourism Awards named and giving them the opportunity to Gab Titui as one of the two top refine their skills, as well as displaying, Indigenous Tourism entities in the Far promoting and marketing local North region. Within the same month, products. Gab Titui also hosted and and for the second consecutive year, launched a wide variety of successful the Centre was named the best in the events throughout 2006, including: State, winning the 2006 title for Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism at the Queensland TourismAwards. Considering Gab Titui has only been in operation for just over two years, the National, State and Regional recognition for the Centre's work in the From L to R: the Queensland Minister for Health, the Honourable Stephen maintenance, preservation and Robertson,TSRA and Torres Strait Health Partnership Chair, Mr Toshie Kris & the Australian Minister for Health and Ageing, the Honourable Tony Abbott, revitalisation of Torres Strait culture are take part in the signing of the Torres Strait Health Agreement outstanding achievements. I would like to take this opportunity thank the community their support of Gab Titui, Gab Tituistaff with the Queensland TourismAward in particular, sharing the region's arts and crafts, as well as our rich culture It has been an eventful year for Torres with fellow community members and Strait's Gab Titui Cultural Centre. The visitors with out your support, the CRC Torres Strait Representatives meet for the last time on year began with the Centre receiving a Apearl dive re-enactmentcoincided with the Thursday Island in June Centre's achievements this year would opening of the Centre's "First Pearlers" exhibition High Commendation at the Australian not have been possible. Tourism Awards in February, for its Through out the year, the Centre • A solo exhibition by talented Torres work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait continued to support local artists and Islander Tourism. Strait artist, Alick Tipoti • The launch of Seaman Dan's latest CD, “Island Way” • The travelling exhibition, “Green Turtle Dreaming” • The presentation of Ceremonial gifts, from the region's Rotuman descendants for safe keeping at Gab Hammond Island was one of three communities presented Titui with an emergency vehicle from QAS • The Gatherings II book launch and exhibition • National and Internationally renowned Torres Strait artist Dennis Nona's “Sesserae” exhibition • The historic and inspiring “First Pearlers” exhibition and pearl dive Apresentation of ceremonial items to the Centre from Torres Strait's Rotuman descendants TSRA and the CFG worked together to strengthen fisheries was one of the events hosted this year atGab Titui re-enactment economic opportunities for the region 03. TSRA NEWS

NATIVE TITLE The PNG to Queensland Gas Pipeline The TSRA's Native Title Office (NTO) had a Project proved a very demanding and very busy and productive year with a resource intensive project for the NTO. A further two native title claims settled early reference group was authorised by PBCs this year. The Badu/Mua#2 and on community islands to negotiate native Mualgal#2 claims were finalised in April, title, cultural heritage and environmental with the Federal Court making a issues with Australian Gas Light-Petronas determination that exclusive native title (APC). In August, APC made a public exists in the claim areas. There are announcement that the project was not currently four more claims remaining and viable and would reconsider at some later the NTO will continue to assist Traditional time if the project is to proceed. The NTO will keep a watching brief on this project. A new ferry was delivered to Ugar Community Owners with progressing their claims. in July This year NTO received numerous native Traditional Ownerswith TSRA representatives celebrate The Sea Claim is currently in mediation their Native Title win with the other parties. The Federal Court title future act notices and assisted held a directions hearing on Thursday Traditional Owners with responding to matters in the region and the NTO will be Extensions were made to Seisia Supermarket those notices when requested, including Island in July which gave Traditional assisting Traditional Owners with LSMU's Natural Resource Management Facilitator, Ms Miya Isherwood (centre) Owners the opportunity to observe the assisting with finalising an Indigenous negotiating appropriate native title working with Rangers from Hammond Island Court process. I take this opportunity to Land Use Agreement (ILUA) between agreements. commend the Federal Court for making Traditional Owners at Mer and Ergon the effort to travel to the Torres Strait to Energy. There are still a number of hear this important claim. outstanding and important future act

Island Coordinating Council Service (QAS) rollout of refurbished (ICC) and the Torres Strait emergency vehicles across the Torres and Northern Peninsula Area Strait Region. In July this year, QAS District Health Council. officially presented three vehicles, as a This Agreement signified part of the ground transport project, to the a commitment to work communities of Warraber, Hammond and together toward improving YorkeIslands. the health outcomes and Consultation with these communities has services for our people. occurred to establish volunteer First Joint Health Ministers Responder Groups that will operate the FromL to R: the Queensland Minister for Health, the Honourable Stephen Meeting vehicles and be the first port of call in Robertson,TSRA and Torres Strait Health Partnership Chair, Mr Toshie Kris & the Australian Minister for Health and Ageing, the Honourable Tony Abbott, A Joint Australian and an emergency to assist sick or injured take part in the signing of the Torres Strait Health Agreement Queensland Health Ministers community members. Another three meeting with the Torres vehicles are ready for negotiation in 2006- HEALTH Strait Health Partnership was 2007 with the communities of Saibai, Mabuiag and Yam Islands. Gab Titui staff with the Queensland TourismAward There were some major health initiatives held in addition to the signing of the that the TSRA delivered on this year, in Framework Agreement on particular: 25 July 2006. Issues brought to the visiting • A new Torres Strait and NPA Health CRC Torres Strait Representatives meet for the last time on A pearl dive re-enactment coincided with the Ministers' attention Thursday Island in June Framework Agreement opening of the Centre's "First Pearlers" exhibition included chronic disease • Hosting a Joint Health Ministers management, cross- Meeting border matters, and the • Continued rollout of emergency recruitment and retention vehicles across the TorresStrait of doctors in the Torres Torres Strait and NPA Health Framework Strait. Agreement Rollout of Emergency A five-year Agreement was signed in July Vehicles by the Torres Strait Health Partnership. In November 2005, the The Partnership consists of the Australian TSRA Board endorsed a and Queensland Government commitment to support the Hammond Island wasone of three communities presented Departments of Health, the TSRA, the Queensland Ambulance with an emergency vehicle from QAS

LAND AND SEA MANAGEMENT Australian Government's most significant management initiatives under the Land & The TSRA was invited by the Australian environmental initiative to date. Sea Management Strategy for Torres and Queensland Government Ministers in As a result, in June of 2006 TSRA Strait, and to support communities in 2005 to coordinate the delivery of the established a Land & Sea Management accessing additional financial and technical support and information about A presentation of ceremonial items to the Centre from Torres Strait's Rotuman descendants Natural Heritage Trust in the Torres Strait Unit (LSMU) to coordinate the delivery of region. The Natural Heritage Trust is the regional and local level land and sea the sustainable management of their TSRA and the CFG worked together to strengthen fisheries was one of the events hosted this year at Gab Titui economic opportunities for the region 04. TSRA NEWS

Continued from page 3: environments. In the six months of operation, the Unit has been successful in rolling out a number of projects, which has involved working closely with our communities. Some of the projects the LSMU is responsible for coordinating include, a dugong and marine turtle management project - to support communities to move towards A new ferry was delivered to Ugar Community sustainable management of these in July Traditional Owners with TSRA representatives celebrate their Native Title win significant marine species, a lantana eradication and revegetation programme on several islands, and a Extensions were made to Seisia Supermarket project to build the capacity of our LSMU's Natural Resource Management Facilitator, Ms Miya Isherwood (centre) Prescribed Bodies Corporate to play a working with Rangers from Hammond Island key role in land and sea management in the future.

CRC TORRES STRAIT researching the regions marine alongside researchers, giving them The TSRA supported Cooperative ecosystems. the chance to obtain different skills, Research Centre Torres Strait (CRC The Program presented opportunities receive formal qualifications and build Torres Strait) Program came to a close to Torres Strait communities to learn their personal knowledge of the at the end of June after three years of more about our unique marine marine environment. environment. Scientists Local school students also gained and researchers involved valuable experience from the CRC community members in Torres research projects and have the development of notably participated in the Seagrass research as well as Watch and the Turtle and Dugong conducting investigative projects. activities on various From L to R: the Queensland Minister for Health, the Honourable Stephen The success of the CRC Torres is a Robertson,TSRA and Torres Strait Health Partnership Chair, Mr Toshie Kris marine subjects such as tribute to the support and participation & the Australian Minister for Health and Ageing, the Honourable Tony Abbott, the Tropical Rock Lobster, of who have a take part in the signing of the Torres Strait Health Agreement Sea Cucumber and vision to preserve and manage the Prawn fisheries, and on region's natural marine environment aquaculture projects such and resources and I thank them for Gab Titui staff with the Queensland TourismAward as sea sponges. welcoming researchers into their Many community communities and sharing their members took the knowledge and experiences. CRC TorresStrait Representatives meet for the last time on opportunity to work A pearl dive re-enactment coincided with the Thursday Island in June opening of the Centre's "First Pearlers" exhibition

FISHERIES TSRA and the Community Fisher Group (CFG) have continued to pursue the aspirations of our Indigenous community fishermen to provide them with greater economic and employment opportunities in the TorresStrait Fisheries. In the midst of what has been a challenging time for Fisheries, several positive outcomes were achieved Hammond Island was one of three communities presented with an emergency vehicle from QAS through the diligent work and dedication shown by the CFG with support from the TSRA. The CFG continued to work hard to provide Torres Strait Islanders with greater shares of the resources in the TorresStrait Fisheries. Moreover, the CFG have shown through their participation in the Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) consultation structures that the voice of A presentation of ceremonial items to the Centre from Torres Strait's Rotuman descendants Torres Strait Islanders can be heard and seriously TSRAand the CFGworked together to strengthen fisheries was one of the events hosted this year at Gab Titui considered. economic opportunities for the region 05. TSRA NEWS

Continued from page 4: 2009 while they discuss the best quota decisions from this forum was the The region's Tropical Rock Lobster sharing arrangement for the future. announcement that the voluntary (TRL) and Finfish fisheries will move to This means the quota that limits how tender process will commence to a Quota Management System in 2008. much Finfish and TRL can be taken is reduce the non-Islander sector Islander and non-Islander commercial allocated to all TIB licence holders capacity in the TRL and Finfish fishermen will be allocated a quota to fish until they have caught fisheries. (shares) that will be managed so the community fishing sector's This is a positive step forward to that traditional, commercial and sustainable limit (quota) each year. obtaining a greater share of the catch recreational fishing can continue and The PZJA met twice with CFG for our people and creating stronger allow for enough reserve to escape to representatives this year. The last economic opportunities for the region. reproduce and restock the fisheries, meeting was held in October and after As a Member of the PZJA and keeping them sustainable for the consulting with stakeholders, Chairperson of the TSRA, I will future. including CFG representatives, a continue to represent the aspirations number of recommendations were of our people in this important area. Community fishers will operate under Mer Island Road Crew contributing directly to their The Kubin Art Centre opened in June The sucessful Hammond Island fuel bowser a competitive quota during 2008 and formulated by the PZJA. One of the community's development

MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM The TSRA and the Queensland Government jointly fund the Major Infrastructure Program (MIP). Through its projects, MIP has made a significant contribution to the environmental health of people From L to R: Iama Island Council Chairman, Mr Walter Mackie, is congratulated by TSRA Deputy Chair, Mr Fred Gela, on the community's sealed airstrip living in the region. Now in its ninth year, MIP continues to effectively and efficiently establish environmental health infrastructure in our communities. Thus far, MIP has successfully delivered over 33 TSRA Chairperson, Mr Toshie Kris major projects including water services, reticulated sewerage systems, subdivisions and essential services. MIP Continues to Deliver Key achievements for MIP in 2006 Roadswere sealed atBadu Island include: projects. on Badu Island have been completed. The construction of a regional This involved the upgrade and sealing desalination plant, delivered and Water meters have been installed at Warraber, Poruma, Dauan, St Pauls, of Chapman Street along with the tested at Masig in May. The Island associated drainage being rectified. Coordinating Council's Infrastructure Boigu, Saibai, Mabuiag, and Kubin Support Unit is currently using the unit communities with the remaining Outer The design and planning of the throughout the region for emergency Islands to be completed by early 2007. sewerage systems for Masig and Moa water use and various community Road works and water main upgrades Islands were finalised this year, and the

Flood mitigation works at Boigu Island Newserviced housing lots were completed atHammond Island 06. TSRA NEWS

Continued from page 5: the year and paving of the roads and completed before the year's end. planning of the Mabuiag and Warraber drainage on Ugar Island have just begun. The new subdivision on Hammond Island sewerage systems was completed and Flood mitigation construction works on was completed, resulting in 9 new house design has commenced. Saibai and Boigu Islands are substantially lots and throughout the year, MIP Construction of a new subdivision at completed, with the construction of Dau continued to upgrade solid waste facilities is to commence before the end of Street drain (Boigu Island) due to be on our Outer Island communities.

MARINE AND AIRSTRIP PROGRAM A major milestone in aviation safety in the Torres Strait was achieved this year with Iama Island officially opening its bitumen sealed airstrip in August and being the Mer Island Road Crew contributing directly to their The Kubin Art Centre opened in June The sucessful Hammond Island fuel bowser final Island community to benefit with an community's development upgraded airstrip under the Marine and Airstrip Program. The region's Marine and Airstrip Program, is delivered by the TSRA and the Queensland Departments of Transport and Main Roads. Over the past few years the Program has transformed our communities' old grass strips into weather proof, sealed airstrips, having a positive impact on the region's quality of FromL to R: Iama Island Council Chairman, Mr Walter Mackie, is congratulated by TSRA Deputy Chair, life by enhancing the local economy, Mr Fred Gela, on the community's sealed airstrip improving access between our islands complete, the Program will now focus on Hammond, Erub, Warraber and Kubin and increasing air-travel safety. completing the upgrade of berthing communities. Now that the airstrip component is dolphins (posts for mooring vessels) at

TSRA Chairperson, Mr Toshie Kris

CONCLUSION Roads were sealed at Badu Island Once again, I would like to thank the TSRA Community Fisher Group, community Board Members, TSRA Executive, members and partner organisations and Management and Administration staff, agencies, who have worked in partnership including those from the main office, NTO, with the TSRA this year to strengthen LSMU and Gab Titui Cultural Centre for the economic, social and cultural their hard work and dedication in development of the Torres Strait. Kaimai delivering positive outcomes for our esso, au esso au. communities. I would also like to take this opportunity to John T.Kris thank all the stakeholders, including our Elders, Island Councils, Traditional Chairperson Owners, Prescribed Bodies Corporate, the TorresStrait Regional Authority

BUSINESS ADDRESS CONTACT DETAILS 1st Floor,Torres Strait Haus PO Box 261,Thursday Island Queensland 4875 Telephone: (07) 4069 0700 Victoria Parade www.tsra.gov.au Fax: (07) 4069 1879 Flood mitigation works at Boigu Island New serviced housing lots were completed at Hammond Island Thursday Island [email protected] Toll Free Number: 1800 079 093