TORRES SHIRE COUNCIL – Community Directory Sunset at Victoria Parade, Thursday Island TORRES SHIRE COUNCIL Community Directory Civil, Construction and Community Services Torres Shire Council – Community Directory October 2020 TORRES SHIRE COUNCIL – Community Directory Contents Contents ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.1. Foreword ............................................................................................................................................... 3 2. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 4 3. About this Document............................................................................................................................. 5 4. Important Information about working in the Shire ............................................................................... 6 5. Indigenous Local Businesses................................................................................................................. 7 6. Non-Indigenous Local Businesses ...................................................................................................... 10 7. Other Services ..................................................................................................................................... 13 8. Additional Information ........................................................................................................................ 16 Torres Shire Council – Community Directory October 2020 TORRES SHIRE COUNCIL – Community Directory 1.1. Foreword This statement is designed to provide information on locally available services and workforce for building and construction companies wishing to tender and engage in works on Thursday (Waiben), Horn (Ngurapai) and Prince of Wales Islands (Muralag). The Torres Shire Council (TSC) represents the communities on these islands. Torres Shire Council is locally recognised as a remote community; however, it is formally classified as a mainstream Local Government. TSC has capacity to assist in undertaking construction and civil works as well as to provide associated services to contractors. However, contractors are encouraged to contact TSC to ascertain subcontracting availability. Additionally, contractors can access and source semi-skilled local labour through the Community Development Programmes (CDP) provider Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab Joint Venture. Utilising the local services and labour available inside the Shire will greatly reduce accommodation and transport costs associated with undertaking works in these locations. It will also contribute and support the economic sustainability of the communities by engaging local knowledge and experience. Another distinct advantage for contractors is that by utilising local services and labour, it may contribute to your requirements under the Queensland Government Building and Construction Training Policy that came into effect 1 July 2014. We encourage you to liaise with TSC and local service providers to utilise local services and labour as it will assist with the delivery of projects in community, whilst stimulating local economic growth and employment. Engagement of local labour and service providers by contractors is a cornerstone in building a strong and sustainable relationship with the Torres Strait Islands communities and their partners. Councillor Vonda Malone Mayor, Torres Shire Council Councillor Vonda Malone Dalassa Yorkston Mayor, Torres Shire Council CEO, Torres Shire Council Torres Shire Council – Community Directory October 2020 TORRES SHIRE COUNCIL – Community Directory 2. Introduction 2.1. About the Shire The Shire of Torres is a local government area located in Far North Queensland, Australia, covering large sections of the Torres Strait Islands and the northern tip of Cape York Peninsula north of 11°S latitude, it is administered from Thursday Island. The Torres Shire consists of Waibene, Ngurupai, Gealug, Muwai, Muralag, Palilug and areas of the Northern Peninsula of Cape York. It does not include the islands a part of Torres Strait Island Regional Council and does not include part of Cape York covered by the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council. The Torres Strait is made up of more than a hundred islands and occupies the sea country between two mainland areas: Australia (Koey Dhawdhay) and Papua New Guinea (Moegi Dhawdhay). The sea country is the recognised Native Land and Waters of Guda Maluyligal, Maluyligal, Kulkalgal, Kemer Kemer Meriam, Kaiwalagal - the seafaring nations of Zenadth Kes. Two dialects are spoken within three groups of islands, predominantly by the ‘creole’ languages. These dialects are Kala Lagau Ya and Meriam. Zenadth Kes was governed by Kod Systems, an ancient form of governing structure, prior to colonisation. The peoples of the Shire are First Nations peoples. The council consists of four elected members (councillors) together with an elected Mayor. The Mayor is elected separately by the entire Shire. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Torres Shire Council offices at Douglas Street, Thursday Island. 2.1. Workforce Snapshot The communities of the Torres Shire have several individuals with certified skills, industry recognition and general labouring experience to assist contractors undertake project, building, civil and construction works within the shire. TSC has plant and equipment available for wet and dry hire subject to availability and is available for 3rd party contract work. Through Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab Joint Venture (the local provider for the Community Development Program), there is a pool of local workforce labour available for direct or labour hire employment. 2.2. Contact Information General Council Information Address P.O. Box 171 Thursday Island Qld 4875 Australia Phone (07) 4069 1336 Email [email protected] Fax (07) 4069 1845 Website http://www.torres.qld.gov.au/contact-us Position Name E-mail address Mayor Cr. Vonda Malone [email protected] Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dalassa Yorkston [email protected] Director – Governance and Planning Services (DGPS) Maxwell Duncan [email protected] Director – Community and Corporate Service (DCCS) Shane Whitten [email protected] Director – Engineering and Infrastructure Services (DEIS) Ed Kulpa [email protected] Torres Shire Council – Community Directory October 2020 TORRES SHIRE COUNCIL – Community Directory 3. About this Document The Community Capacity Statement developed by the Torres Shire Council forms part of the Indigenous Economic Opportunity (IEO) Overview which is managed and developed in consultation with the Department for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DATSIP) Program Office and Torres Shire Technical Working Group (TWG). The TWG, Council Executive and the DATSIP Program Office provide information and advice to assist Government Agencies and Government Statutory Organisations in developing an IEO Overview, which is to be included in the tender documents for projects which meet the thresholds. This document is broken down into 2 primary categories: TORRES SHIRE COUNCIL Community Capacity Statement Indigenous Local Non-indigenous Local Businesses Businesses Torres Shire Council – Community Directory October 2020 TORRES SHIRE COUNCIL – Community Directory 4. Important Information about working in the Shire 4.1. Asbestos Disposal It is advised that any asbestos material found or removed through the course of development is to be disposed of on the Mainland. Developers are to account for the packing, removal, shipment and disposal fees of asbestos material within their project budgets. 4.2. Being Water Wise The Torres Shire region is reliant on limited water sources to supply drinking water to the region. Subsequently, potable water supply is not available for use in development for purposes such as dust suppression and standpipes will not be made available for use. Developers are to investigate options of non-potable water supply for works. 4.3. Traffic Management Planning The Torres Shire includes islands where historic development has resulted in limited available space for new civil works and associated lay down areas. Before development begins, developers are to submit for approval to the Council, traffic management plans that detail proposed laydown areas, traffic and pedestrian controls, changed traffic conditions, heavy vehicle movements, etc. Council will review the plans and only upon their approval will development be permitted to begin. 4.4. Waste Management The Torres Shire islands are limited in available space and landfill capacity. Subsequently developers are to allow for removal and disposal of waste materials to the mainland within their project budgets. Any queries can be directed to the Torres Shire Council. Torres Shire Council – Community Directory October 2020 TORRES SHIRE COUNCIL – Community Directory 5. Indigenous Local Businesses 5.1. Building & Construction There are several local indigenous businesses operating in the Torres Shire area. These well-established businesses offer a range of services already successfully operating within the Torres Strait region. Business Name Contact details T&P Carpentry and Maintenance Thaine Mills Ph: 0429454476 E: [email protected] Barry Beckley Subcontracting Barry Beckley