TSRA NEWS No.74 May 2006 Our Vision: To empower our people to determine their own affairs based on our unique Ailan Kastom bilong Torres Strait from which we draw our unity and strength. www.tsra.gov.au Photo cour Photo cour tesy of Georg tesy of Blac e Serras, NMA k & Mor e The Major Infrastructure Program - completing Gab Titui CulturalCentre celebratesits second Far Northern tourism operators welcomed to the life changing projects in the region. birthday. Torres Strait. Major Infrastructure Program providing vital works to Torres Strait The Major Infrastructure Program, and Queensland Governments as “The issue of efficient and safe waste the largest capital works initiative well as local island councils, MIP is management options needs to be ever to be undertaken in the Torres producing positive results for the addressed, especially when you Strait is completing a series of much region. consider the isolation and geography needed life changing infrastructure “In 1996, only 39 percent of the challenges present in our region. projects in the region's most isolated population had adequate water “MIP is currently developing a communities. supply, today 100 percent of the Regional Waste management Commencing in 1998, the ten-year, population have access to clean Strategy to improve the $100 million Major Infrastructure drinking water which meet health management and disposal of solid Program (MIP), is a joint initiative of guidelines. waste in the Torres Strait, and given the Australian and Queensland “By the end of the third series of the limited land space on our islands, Governments, and is coordinated by works, 70 percent of the Torres Strait the support for a regional approach is the Torres Strait Regional Authority Population will be serviced by needed. (TSRA) and the Department of Local reticulated sewerage. “As the Government has invested a Government, Planning, Sport and substantial amount of infrastructure, Recreation (DLGPS&R). “As well as infrastructure, MIP has produced over 100 locally trained it is vital that we look at protecting TSRA Chairperson Mr Toshie Kris, community members, which has existing infrastructure by said MIP's objective is to address the enhanced the confidence and ability implementing an asset replacement infrastructure needs of the region in the local workforce to maintain as program to prevent unnecessary and in turn improve the health status well as undertake new projects. operation and maintenance costs, and general well-being of residents. which are very high given our “This is contributing to the local location. “Regional infrastructure was in a economy by not only providing poor state prior to MIP our employment, but also giving the “Additionally, the problem of communities experienced irregular opportunity to local councils to overcrowded housing and the water supply, pan toilets were in use, undertake and manage projects demand for more accommodation and the management of sewerage rather than sourcing an outside across the region is another area and waste was inadequate,” Mr Kris company - to date approximately of concern for our people - more said. $3.5 million worth of contracts have serviced housing subdivisions are “MIP has since begun to meet the been awarded to local island needed via MIP in order to address essential infrastructure needs of our councils. this issue. region - removing pan toilets, “Over the last eight years, MIP has “MIP has commenced the process of replacing them with flushing substantially improved essential improving living standards in the systems, installing sewerage environmental health infrastructure Torres Strait, though we still have a treatment plants and it has upgraded generating a positive impact on the long way to go until it is comparable and improved the supply of clean health and well-being of people to that in mainstream Australia and it drinking water,” Mr Kris said. living in the Torres Strait and is imperative that proposed future “With a whole-of-government Northern Peninsula Area, however projects continue this much needed approach involving the Australian there is still more to be done. work,” Mr Kris said. CONTENTS Major Infrastructure Program 1 Another Native Title win for 2-3 Turtle tracking guessing competition 4 providing vital works to Torres Strait Torres Strait traditional owners - Winners! Gab Titui Cultural Centre turns 2! 2 Businesses rallied to welcome 3 Funding boost for Torres Strait's 4 tourism industry dugong and turtle management project 02. TSRA NEWS Strait people on a very personal level, Gab Titui Cultural Centre turns 2! to gain an insight into our traditions and modern way of life. Following outstanding success over its short history, the Torres Strait's Gab Titui Cultural “Behind the scenes, our staff are hard Centre on Thursday Island, marked its second at work, developing products and birthday on Sunday 16 April. services that retain cultural integrity and authenticity, and provide Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) opportunities for Indigenous artists, Chairperson Mr Toshie Kris, said the past two craftspeople and performers years had been exceptional for Gab Titui - throughout the region to refine and spotlighting the region as an authentic promote their talent. Indigenous experience and as a safekeeping place for cultural maintenance and revitalisation. “Two of our most memorable achievements so far occurred when “Achievements of Gab Titui so far have exceeded all expectations, with an we received the award from estimated 6,400 paying visitors experiencing our unique and vibrant Torres Queensland Tourism in November Strait culture,” Mr Kris said. last year, for excellence in Aboriginal “Tours that travel through Cape York, as well as accommodation and tour and Torres Strait Islander Tourism operators in northern Cape communities have been very supportive of Gab Titui and a high commendation in the and encouraged visitors to experience TorresStrait culture either on a day trip to same category at the National Thursday Island or as part of a stopover. TourismAwards in February this year. “The Centre is being promoted as a 'must-see' attraction because it provides “While the Centre is acknowledged as visitors with a window into our world and an experience to interact with Torres the region's public keeping place for traditional craft, modern art and preserving history it is also a meeting place for young and old to share knowledge and to be inspired and informed, helping to protect our culture and traditions for future generations. “I would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of Gab Titui for their dedication, and in particular, the artists, crafts people, performers and the public who have supported the Centre - your contributions over the past two years have been invaluable and I look forward to celebrating From L to R - Mrs Kimberly and Mr Wayne See Kee, Mrs Ruth Robertson, Mrs Norma Wright, Uncle Seaman Dan, MrVic McGrath, Dr Karl Neuenfeldt and Mr Roydon Robertson at Gab Titui's birthday dinner. future successes with you,” Mr Kris said. Another Native Title win for Torres Strait traditional owners The traditional owners of Badu and saying the decision recognises that “In addition, I would like to reflect and Mua (Moa) celebrated the Australian traditional owners continue to protect acknowledge the Meriam people Federal Court's Native Title and enjoy their traditional rights. whose struggle for Native Title with determinations over their “I wish to congratulate the Badulgal the historic Mabo Case of 1992, set uninhabited islands on 13 April. and Mualgal claimants on this the precedent for others in our region The determinations were delivered wonderful occasion and also for their to follow that path. by the Court in Brisbane, via video- commitment over the last four years “This result is formal acknowledge- conference to traditional owners who to gain this significant achievement,” ment from the Federal Court that here had travelled to Thursday Island, Mr Kris said. in the Torres Strait our strong cultural recognising Native Title over 80 “This is part of a journey that started ties and bonds to our land and sea uninhabited islands, islets and rocks in 2002, when the claim was filed in exist and are very much alive today. located in the region's Western Group the Federal Court and through the “Our Native Title Holders have a right of islands. hard work of the traditional owners to possession, occupation, use and Torres Strait Regional Authority and the TSRA's Native Title Office enjoyment of the determination area, Chairperson (TSRA) Mr Toshie Kris, (NTO), our communities have good allowing traditional owners to was pleased with the result of the reason to celebrate. continue to practice our sacred consent determination hearing, traditions and therefore preserving it 03. TSRA NEWS for future generations to learn and draw inspiration from. “The NTO has worked closely with traditional owners over the past eight years to achieve consent determinations in 20 of the 27 Native Title claims in the region, resulting in determinations over uninhabited islands as well as 11 community inhabited islands. “There are now only four land claims remaining for the NTO to progress this year and the NTO has also prioritised the task of advancing the Regional Sea Claim, to secure and obtain Native Title to Torres Strait's waters for our people,” Mr Kris said. Traditional Owners with TSRA representatives present at the Court hearing. Businesses rallied to welcome tourism industry The spotlight was on Thursday and stay and making excellent Horn Islands last month as contacts with local businesses,” representatives from the tourism Mr Mosby said. industry met with owners and “On their arrival, the visiting operators to experience first hand the group was shown a warm majority of tourism, transport and welcome to the Torres Strait with accommodation options available a delicious buffet dinner at the across Torres Strait's most accessible Cultural Centre's Café as well as islands.