Portfolio Budget Statements 2009-10
Torres Strait Regional Authority
Section 1: Agency overview and resources
1.1 Strategic direction
The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) is a Commonwealth statutory authority which was established in 1994 under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989, now known as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005. It is the peak Commonwealth representative body for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living in the Torres Strait.
The TSRA also performs separate functions under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) as the Native Title Representative Body for the Torres Strait Region.
The TSRA is required under Section 142D of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 to formulate and implement a plan to guide the progress of the Torres Strait region. This plan, known as the Torres Strait Development Plan, is updated every four years to be consistent with the term of the TSRA Board.
In 2008-09 the TSRA finalised the Torres Strait Development Plan 2009-13 (Development Plan) the fourth since the establishment of the TSRA. The Development Plan outlines seven new or revised TSRA program components (Economic Development; Culture, Art and Heritage; Native Title; Environmental Management; Governance and Leadership; Healthy Communities; Safe Communities), each of which has a number of desired outcomes and associated benefits.
The Development Plan and its program components have been informed and driven by the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Regional Plan 2009-29 (Regional Plan) and the goals and aspirations of the residents of the Torres Strait. The new TSRA vision, which is shared by both the Regional and Development Plan, is:
- 'Empowering our people, in our decision, in our culture, for our future'
- 'Ngalpun yangu kaaba woeydhay, a ngalpun muruygaw danalagan mabaygal kunakan palayk, bathayngaka' (KALA LAGAU YA)
- 'Buaigiz kelar obaiswerare, merbi mir apuge mena obakedi, muige merbi areribi tonarge, ko merbi keub kerkerem' (MERIAM MIR)
- 'Ngalpan moebaygal thoepoeriwoeyamoeyn, ngalpan ya kuduthoeraynu, ngalpan igililmaypa, sepa setha wara goeygil sey boey wagel' (KALA KAWAU YA)
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The Development Plan has also been designed to align with the COAG Building Blocks and to contribute to Indigenous-specific outcomes of the National Partnership Agreements as outlined in the National Indigenous Reform Agreement.
As the regional Native Title Representative Body (NTRB), the TSRA will continue to direct efforts in 2009-10 to the Regional Sea Claim. The determination will have long-term implications for the region including the delivery of TSRA program components, as well as short-term implications for TSRA's NTRB activities.
Given its role as the core funding provider for the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) in the region, the TSRA will be central to the roll out of CDEP reform measures in 2009-10 and beyond.
The Torres Strait Ranger Project will continue to be rolled out in seven Torres Strait communities by the TSRA's Land and Sea Management Unit. This dedicated ranger project will play a central role in the TSRA's Environmental Management program component as it will be used to deliver a variety of land and sea management activities which are identified in the Land and Sea Management Strategy and the Regional Investment Strategy for the Torres Strait, the Marine Turtle and Dugong Management Plan for each of the participating communities.
The Major Infrastructure Program, which delivers environmental health infrastructure to remote island communities, will move into its second stage of Phase 4 works, due for completion in 2011. Works will include the completion of reticulated sewerage to all 15 outer island communities, and the extension of sewerage reticulation and pumping to unserviced or new housing allotments, including the servicing of Badu Health Centre.
A key area of externally focused activity for the TSRA in 2009-10 will be continuing to drive the regional planning process including formalisation of an Integrated Service Delivery Agreement, to be signed by Government at all levels working in the region, which will aim to achieve coordinated, integrated delivery of services. The TSRA will also dedicate considerable time to engaging with local stakeholders; informing them of the new Development Plan and associated changes, and supporting their adaptation to the new environment.
Distance and transport constraints continue to impact on the costs of providing fair and equitable access to government services, including service delivery and the cost of living for all residents of the region, as well as impeding the speed of progress in closing the gap in the Torres Strait. Land tenure is another constant factor impacting across all elements of program and program component delivery in the region.
The impact on the Torres Strait of the global economic downturn and changes in government budgets and priorities, as well as the changes to the Queensland Government structure and programs post-election have yet to become clear.
The environmental resource capacity of the region and challenges associated with climate change are considerations and concerns becoming more prominent in, and fundamental to the design and delivery of TSRA program components. The TSRA's Environmental Management program component will be increasing its efforts to gather data and raise awareness of climate change and sea level rise impacts in the region, and advocate for and support mitigation and adaptation efforts.
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