Performance

Activity

Flag

Status

Business mentoring and support

Completed/on schedule

The Economic Development Programme provides mentoring and professional business support to eligible applicants who have an existing business or are ready to start a business.

Thirteen clients were approved for business mentoring and support to assist with organisational capacity building.

Of these 13 clients:

· one client accessed business mentoring and support only

· two clients were referred to claim Business Growth Packages

· one client was referred to the Business Funding Scheme

· nine clients were sponsored to attend conferences for professional development and to build business networks. Events included the National Indigenous Empowerment Summit and the Indigenous Artists Hub training in Cairns.

Business funding

Completed/on schedule

The Business Funding Scheme provides business loans to Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living in the region, at interest rates lower than commercial bank rates; small business training; and business support and advice.

Three Business Funding Scheme loan applications were received and approved, in the tourism and fishing industries.

Regional Economic Investment Strategy

Completed/on schedule

The Torres Strait Regional Economic Investment Strategy (REIS) continued in 2019-2020. REIS targets three focal industries: Fisheries; Arts and Creative Industries; and Tourism and the Visitor Economy.

The REIS Business Growth Package provides a combination of low-interest business loans, professional business support and grant funding for eligible applicants.

A total of seven Business Growth Package applications were received in 2019-2020:

· Three Fisheries Business Growth Package applications were received with one approved.

· Four Tourism Business Growth Package applications were received with one approved.

No Arts and Creative Industries Business Growth Package applications were received in this period.

You Sabe Business workshops

Completed/on schedule

The You Sabe Business workshops aim to assist local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aspiring to start a business, through a series of three one-day workshops delivered face to face in the region. The workshops’ purpose is to empower aspiring business owners by improving their understanding of business ownership and enabling them to make informed decisions as to whether going into business is right for them.

The delivery model is client focused, offering support from the point of registration for minimum a period of 12 months, with access to a client support officer, an Indigenous mentor and a financial literacy support service.

Twenty-four workshop participants (all graduates of the inaugural You Sabe Business workshop series) were offered tailored support in 2019–20. Of these, three participants accessed business support services and nine received financial literacy support to progress their business concept.

On completion of the 12-month client-focused support, seven of the 24 participants decided to start up a business or stay in business.

The You Sabe Business workshops have been customised to target the business development needs of Wapil participants; however, scheduling was impacted due to COVID-19.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions on travel to the outer islands of the Torres Strait, the Economic Development Programme piloted a virtual You Sabe Business workshop, which commenced on 15 June 2020 and concluded on 26 June 2020.

The virtual workshop was delivered over a total of two hours a day for a period of two weeks by workshop facilitator Brendan Bishop from Indigenous Business Builders. One hour of mentor support post-sessions was provided by Flora Warrior from Saltwater Blue Consultancy.

Three Erub Fisheries Management Association board members and three freezer staff successfully completed the workshop. The Erub Fisheries Management Association, trading as Darnley Deep Seafood, now has a three-year business plan and cashflow projections in place.

Torres Strait Maritime Pathways Project

Completed/on schedule

The Torres Strait Maritime Pathways Project (TSMPP) enhances the skills and capability of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people in the region to operate commercial vessels and create maritime career pathways in related industries.

The TSMPP currently focuses on equipping TIB licence holders with coxswain licences to meet legislative requirements for commercial fishing. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority exemption for commercial fishing vessels under six metres operating in the region will expire on 30 June 2022 and the TSRA is committed to supporting fishers to obtain the licence before then.

Outer island delivery options were explored and supported. Impacts of COVID-19 delayed the rollout of the new delivery model.

Two TSMPP courses were completed in 2019-2020. Participants undertook training as follows:

· 26 participants commenced and completed the Elements of Shipboard Safety Skill Set course

· 26 participants commenced and completed the Marine Radio Short-Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency

· 26 participants commenced and completed the First Aid course

· 26 participants commenced and completed the Certificate II in Maritime Operations – Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal.

Growing Our Own Tagai Transitions Maritime project

Completed/on schedule

The Growing Our Own Tagai Transitions Maritime project is funded by the TSRA and delivered in partnership with Tagai State College, TAFE North Queensland, Northern Peninsula Area State College and the Community Development Programme (CDP) provider, Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab.

This project targets students in years 10, 11 and 12 at Tagai State College and Northern Peninsula Area State College and builds their capability to utilise the region’s commercial maritime resources, and prepares school leavers for a smooth transition from school to work.

In the period from 1 July to 31 December 2019, at Tagai State College:

· four Year 10 students completed the Elements of Shipboard Safety Skill Set course

· 15 Year 11 students completed the Certificate II in Maritime Operations – Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal

· 15 Year 11 students completed the Marine Radio Short-Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency

· 15 Year 11 students completed the First Aid course

· 14 Year 12 students completed the Certificate II in Maritime Operations – Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal

· 14 Year 12 students completed the Marine Radio Short-Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency

· 14 Year 12 students completed the First Aid course

· 14 Year 12 students completed the Elements of Shipboard Safety Skill Set course

· 12 Year 12 students completed the Australian Maritime Safety Authority mandated practical assessment for Coxswain certificates.

In the period from 1 July to 31 December 2019, at Northern Peninsula Area State College:

· 12 Year 11 students completed the Certificate II in Maritime Operations – Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal

· 12 Year 11 students commenced the Marine Radio Short-Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency

· 10 Year 11 students completed the First Aid course.

In the period from 1 January to 30 June 2020, at Tagai State College:

· 13 Year 10 students completed the Elements of Shipboard Safety Skill Set course

· 14 Year 11 students commenced the Certificate II in Maritime Operations – Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal

· 13 Year 11 students completed the Elements of Shipboard Safety Skill Set course

· 14 Year 11 students accumulated four days sea time

· 14 Year 11 students commenced task books for Coxswain and Marine Engine Driver Grade III certificates

· 15 Year 12 students completed the Marine Radio Short-Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency

· 15 Year 12 students completed the Certificate II in Maritime Operations – Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal

· 15 Year 12 students accumulated 14 days sea time

· 15 Year 12 students completed 100 per cent of the task books for Coxswain certificates

· 15 Year 13 students completed the Certificate II in Maritime Operations – Marine Engine Driver Grade III

· 15 Year 13 students completed the Australian Maritime Safety Authority mandated practical assessment for Coxswain and Marine Engine Driver Grade III certificates.

In the period from 1 January to 30 June 2020, at Northern Peninsula Area State College:

· seven Year 12 students completed the Certificate II in Maritime Operations – Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal

· 12 Year 12 students commenced the Marine Radio Short-Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency

· 11 Year 12 students completed the First Aid course

· 12 Year 12 students accumulated 17 days sea time

· 12 Year 12 students completed 30 per cent to 50 per cent of task books for Coxswain and Marine Engine Driver Grade III certificates.

Home Ownership Programme

Behind schedule less than three months

The Home Ownership Programme provides home and land loans on freehold land at concessionary interest rates to Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living in the Torres Strait region.

Two home loans were approved in 2019-2020. Complex land tenure arrangements in the Torres Strait continue to make it difficult for loan applicants to provide appropriate security for loans in Deed of Grant in Trust and reserve communities.

Employment and training projects

Completed/on schedule

The TSRA works in partnership with Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab, local shires, Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs), Community Owned Enterprises, Enterprise Management Group and PDR/SMEC Engineers Pty Ltd to deliver employment and training projects in the region that aim to transition job seekers from the CDP into employment. These projects provide industry-specific training to CDP job seekers while also benefiting the wider community.

In 2019-2020, four projects were undertaken:

· Wongai Multi-Purpose Courts Upgrade

· Ken Brown Oval Extension

· Mer Guesthouse Upgrade

· Thursday Island Cycleway (Stage Three).

Wongai Multi-Purpose Courts Upgrade – Thursday Island

Stage One of the Wongai Multi-Purpose Courts Upgrade project was completed in September 2019 and Stage Two was completed in April 2020.

The scope of works included the revitalisation of the basketball, netball and tennis courts; the construction of a toilet block, storeroom and new grandstands; and improvements to the site’s drainage to prevent the site retaining water during the wet season.

Local contractor Rob Clarke Builders was awarded the contract and completed the works using local Indigenous subcontractors from Building and Construction Indigenous Corporation. Seven CDP job seekers obtained a Certificate II in Construction Pathways. Eight CDP job seekers gained full-time employment on Stage One, with seven continuing full-time employment on Stage Two.

Ken Brown Oval Extension – Thursday Island

The completion of the Ken Brown Oval Extension has resulted in job creation and the obtainment of nationally accredited training for local job seekers through TSRA sponsorship. This project was a partnership between the TSRA, the Queensland Government’s Get Playing Plus programme (Round 2), the TSC, and Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab.

While the project saw the oval extended to meet the requirements for Queensland Rugby League competition matches, the TSRA’s sponsorship focused on completing road-paving capital works and increasing the number of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people in employment.

Seven CDP job seekers completed a Certificate II in Civil Constructions in April 2019 and are now employed full-time by the TSC.

Mer Guesthouse Upgrade

The Mer Guesthouse renovation project commenced in June 2019 and was completed in March 2020.

The project’s scope of works included a renovation of the guesthouse, the inclusion of a meeting room and disability accommodation, repairs to the roof, and works to ensure that the guesthouse meets the current building code and regulations.

Local Indigenous building contractor Paul Ware Constructions was awarded the contract and completed the works. The target for the use of local Indigenous trades, trainees and suppliers was exceeded, with 86 per cent Indigenous participation achieved.

As a result of the project:

· 10 CDP job seekers participated in a combination of paid employment and CDP activity for the duration of the period

· 19 CDP job seekers obtained a White Card

· eight CDP job seekers obtained a Certificate II in Construction Pathways

· one CDP job seeker transitioned into a full-time apprenticeship as a plumber.

Thursday Island Cycleway (Stage Three)

The Thursday Island Cycleway (Stage Three) commenced in October 2019. This stage will see the construction of a concrete cycleway from Clark Street to the corner of Aubrey Parade and Douglas Street, Thursday Island, and is scheduled for completion by 31 October 2020.

Community Owned Enterprises, in partnership with Mura Gub Industries, successfully commenced eight Work Skills Trainees, all under 20 years of age, via the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to create employment pathways in the region.

The Thursday Island Cycleway project is multi-phased and is led by the TSC. Project partners include the TSRA, the Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads (through the Principal Cycleway Network Plan – Far North Queensland), CDP provider Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab, and Community Owned Enterprises.

Future Projects

The TSRA and project partners are planning to commence an upgrade of the multi-purpose office space on Badu in 2020-2021.

The planned project to construct a concrete road on the Esplanade at Muralag Beach has not commenced, due to unforeseen circumstances, and is on hold until further notice.

Mentors Employment Project

The TSRA funded three positions for mentors, to provide mentoring to CDP job seekers involved in the Mer Guesthouse Upgrade, the Badu multi-purpose office space upgrade and the Thursday Island Cycleway (Stage Three). Mentor support for the Mer Guesthouse Upgrade and the Thursday Island Cycleway (Stage Three) was completed by 30 June 2020; the Badu multi-purpose office space upgrade is yet to commence.

Tourism

Completed/on schedule

In 2019-2020, the TSRA continued to fund three Tourism Officer positions based in the TSC, TSIRC and NPARC. These positions are dedicated solely to supporting the region’s efforts in enhancing the tourism/visitor economy.

Funding for the Regional Tourism Officer with Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) ended in December 2019. TTNQ will continue to support the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area region to increase opportunities and enhance the region’s tourism/visitor economy efforts.

Community Development Programme agreement management

Completed/on schedule

At 30 June 2020, there were 919 CDP job seekers. This represents an increase of 139 job seekers when compared to the total at 30 June 2019.

During 2019-2020, 150 job seekers transitioned into paid employment. The regional employment target was met in each reporting period in 2019-2020.

An increase in the number of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people in employment

Completed/on schedule

In 2019-2020, 150 CDP job seekers moved from welfare into employment, and 150 job seekers met employment outcome milestones:

• 13-week outcome – 89 CDP jobseekers.
• 26-week outcome – 61 CDP jobseekers.

Job placements were in the following industries:

• administrative and support services – 1
• construction – 43
• public administration and safety – 18
• education and training – 9
• retail trade – 24
• accommodation and food services – 8
• agriculture, forestry and fishing – 7
• health care and social assistance – 6
• transport, postal and warehousing – 7
• arts and recreation services – 11
• rental, hiring and real estate services – 1
• financial and insurance services – 6
• other services – 9.

The overall job placement number has decreased. Slightly fewer job seekers remained in work for a minimum of 26 weeks in 2019-2020 than in 2018-2019.

Increase in the number of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal owned commercially viable businesses

Completed/on schedule

In 2019-2020, three business loans were approved to support Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal owned businesses.

In the same period, business mentoring and support was provided to 13 clients.

Three Fisheries Business Growth Package applications were received, with one approved.

Four Tourism Business Growth Package applications were received, with two approved.

No Arts and Creative Industries Business Growth Package applications were received.

Increased availability of approved business training

Completed/on schedule

In 2019-2020, 90 Work Skills Traineeship positions were approved for the region to support entry into the local commercial fishing industry. The traineeships include a Certificate I in Business course delivered by TAFE Queensland. The traineeships are six months in duration and funded by the Queensland Government Department of Employment, Small Business and Training via the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

Twenty-four You Sabe Business workshop participants received support to improve their understanding of business ownership, enabling them to make informed decisions as to whether going into business is right for them.

Research and extension

Completed/on schedule

The Fisheries Programme’s research and extension projects support the sustainability and commercial use of Torres Strait fisheries.

In 2019-2020, the Fisheries Programme assisted the Spanish Mackerel Biological Samples Project to collect length and age information, by funding workshops on Masig, Erub and Ugar to educate fishers in sample collection.

The programme also provided funding to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority to manage two projects both due to be finalised in 2020-2021:

· Torres Strait Sea Cucumber Stock Status Survey – a field survey to update knowledge on the current stock status of bêche-de-mer species in the Torres Strait

· Measuring Non-commercial Fishing in the Torres Strait – a scoping study to assess options for capturing data on the amount of catches taken from non-commercial (recreational and traditional) fishing in the Torres Strait.

In September 2019, with support from the TSRA in partnership with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, the Assessing Direct Export Feasibility, Marketing and Branding Opportunities for Torres Strait Fisheries Derived Products (Seafood Export and Branding) project was finalised.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the local fishing industry, the Fisheries Programme developed a recovery action plan to expedite the Seafood Export and Branding project. The project is expected to deliver a plan, in early 2020-2021, that will help fishers to build new branding opportunities and pursue more diverse market options.

Capacity building and training

Completed/on schedule

The TSRA delivers projects that increase the capacity of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people in the region to participate in commercial fishing activities and the sustainable management of fisheries resources.

Since 2017, the Fisheries Programme has provided 16 weeks of work experience and ongoing mentoring for a fisheries cadet while they complete an undergraduate degree in marine biology at James Cook University.

In February 2020, the TSRA supported two PZJA Traditional Inhabitant members to attend a leadership and fisheries management workshop in Adelaide with participants from across Australia.

The TSRA is also implementing of a new support model for PZJA Traditional Inhabitant members to increase and support their engagement in PZJA decision-making processes, by providing additional analytical support before, during and after PZJA advisory committee meetings.

Finfish quota management

Completed/on schedule

Each year since 2008, the TSRA has leased licences in the finfish fishery to non-Indigenous fishers. The aim of leasing licences to non-Indigenous fishers is to maintain markets until the TIB sector can increase its overall catch and meet market demand.

The Fisheries Programme provides support to the TSRA Board and the Finfish Quota Management Committee to facilitate the leasing process. In 2019-2020, the committee recommended that licences for 74 tonnes of Spanish mackerel, 30 tonnes of coral trout and 5 tonnes of other species be leased out. Those leases generated $169,000 in revenue.

PZJA representation

Completed/on schedule

There are currently 22 PZJA Traditional Inhabitant members from the Torres Strait’s island cluster nations: Kemer Kemer Meriam, Kulkalgal, Maluialgal, Gudamalulgal and Kaiwalagal.

The Fisheries Programme participated in and supported Traditional Inhabitant members’ participation in:

· two Scientific Advisory Committee meetings

· one Tropical Rock Lobster Working Group meeting

· two Tropical Rock Lobster Resource Assessment Group meetings

· one Finfish Working Group meeting

· two Finfish Resource Assessment Group meetings

· one Finfish Harvest Strategy workshop

· two Hand Collectable Working Group meetings

· one Prawn Management Advisory Committee meeting.

Between October 2019 and February 2020, the TSRA supported the 22 members to lead community engagement events on their home islands and throughout their island cluster groups. The members presented fisheries updates and sought input from industry for future meetings. These visits were delivered as part of ongoing support provided to improve the engagement of communities with fisheries governance in the Torres Strait.

Fisheries Regional Ownership Framework

Behind schedule less than three months

In late 2019, the TSRA undertook consultations in all island communities on the proposed model and membership for an Indigenous owned and operated entity to manage fisheries assets currently held by the TSRA. The consultations received strong community support and endorsement. The TSRA Board agreed to progress the establishment of the entity by July 2020.

The TSRA’s Fisheries Regional Ownership Framework Steering Committee guided community consultation on the formation of an independent entity and its draft business plan for 2020-2025. The committee is overseeing corporate and administrative activities to establish the new entity.

Committee members include the TSRA Chairperson, Portfolio Member for Fisheries (Member for Ngurapai and Muralag) and Portfolio Member for Native Title (Member for Badu); two community representatives; and one representative each of Malu Lamar (Torres Strait Islander) Corporation RNTBC and Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Land and Sea Corporation.

Fisheries Summit

Behind schedule more than three months

The TSRA planned to host a fisheries summit on 28-30 April 2020, to focus on establishing the Indigenous owned and operated fisheries management entity. Agenda items included the selection of company membership, and stakeholder feedback on and approval of the draft five-year business plan.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions the summit was postponed until 2020-2021.

Fisheries Infrastructure

Behind schedule less than three months

Island cluster consultations and industry-led workshops revealed that communities would benefit significantly if fisheries processing infrastructure and business support were available in remote island locations. Experience showed that success would be achieved through strong and consistent support in the early stages of development and operation, with start-up investment and subsidies from a range of government and non-government partners.

In September 2019, the Wapil initiative, named with a traditional word meaning ‘many fish’, was formed. The TSRA initiative manages infrastructure investment, subsidised employment and training, traineeships, and enterprise development support. It has three key stages of implementation: construction; employment and training; and enterprise development and ongoing advisory support.

Wapil was officially announced in December 2019, with funding support from the Australian Government and the Queensland Government.

COVID-19 travel restrictions delayed construction and training schedules for some island communities during early 2020. However, fish market and processing facility training and MYOB and payroll training of three part-time staff were able to be conducted at the Erub Wapil facility, which opened in March 2020. The first commercial frozen seafood shipment of coral trout, mackerel, barramundi cod and tropical rock lobster was forwarded by sea in April 2020.

Arts development programme

Completed/on schedule

The TSRA contributed operational support to the Badu, Erub and Moa art centres, enabling the centres to further develop artists’ skills and the exposure of Torres Strait art and culture in the arts industry. Highlights for the art centres in 2019-2020 included increased presence at industry events and opportunities for exhibitions at national and international institutions.

Arts development initiatives were delivered through the TSRA’s grants and the Gab Titui Cultural Centre’s public programmes, enabling skills development and workshop facilitation opportunities for artists and cultural practitioners.

The TSRA’s partnerships with Arts Queensland, UMI Arts, the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and TAFE Qld – Tagai Campus guarantee appropriate Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal inclusion in arts development initiatives.

Culture, art and heritage grants

Completed/on schedule

Through its biannual Common Funding Round, the TSRA supported 10 grant applications under the Culture, Art and Heritage Programme.

Funded activities included artists’ skills development projects, language and cultural maintenance initiatives, and traditional performing arts participation at events for individuals and groups.

The programme contributed towards two regional events in 2019: the 20th Remote Indigenous Media Festival, hosted by the Torres Strait Islander Media Association; and the Torres Shire Multicultural Festival, hosted by the TSC.

Cultural maintenance programme

Completed/on schedule

The TSRA continues to monitor and promote Ailan Kastom and cultural protocols through funded and/or partnered programmes and initiatives in communities.

Where appropriate, the TSRA provides guidance on cultural protocols to Australian Government and Queensland Government departments and non-government stakeholders working in the region and involved in Indigenous matters relating to the Torres Strait.

Dance strategy

Completed/on schedule

In 2019, the TSRA partnered with the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair and the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair to deliver performances under the Torres Strait Dance Strategy. Traditional dance groups from the communities of Saibai and St Pauls were supported to perform and participate at these favourably recommended national Indigenous events, furthering their exposure to and engagement with national and international audiences and stakeholders.

The TSRA sponsored the inclusion of traditional performance by Eip Karem Beizam – Meriam Cultural Group, a dance team based on Thursday Island, at the 2019 National NAIDOC Awards in Canberra. This successful sponsorship has created opportunities for Torres Strait dancers to be included in future NAIDOC events.

Arts licensing and intellectual property protection

Completed/on schedule

The Gab Titui Cultural Centre engaged three Indigenous artists under licence agreements for use of their artwork images in publications and on art and craft products and merchandise developed by the centre, such as mugs, ties, magnets and the annual calendar.

Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award

Completed/on schedule

The presentation of the biennial Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award is recognised as a flagship event for the Gab Titui Cultural Centre and the TSRA.

The centre was scheduled to open nominations for its 12th award in July 2020. However, due to COVID-19 precautionary measures, the exhibition has been postponed to 2021. The centre continued working with the region’s artists to guarantee submissions of works for the event.

Gab Titui Cultural Centre – exhibitions/public programmes

Completed/on schedule

Exhibitions

In partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria, Cairns Art Gallery and the Mer Island community, the Gab Titui Cultural Centre launched the initial tour of the exhibition Black Bamboo Contemporary Furniture Design from Mer, Torres Strait during the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in July 2019. The exhibition subsequently toured to showcase at the National Gallery of Victoria in February 2020. The Gab Titui Cultural Centre is looking forward to presenting this extraordinary exhibition when it tours home for its final exhibit in 2021.

The national tour of the centre’s cultural maintenance exhibition Evolution: Torres Strait Masks was featured at the Western Australian Museum’s regional Museum of Geraldton and Museum of the Great Southern during the year. The exhibition will continue its tour, visiting its final Western Australian venue at the Fremantle Maritime Museum, during 2020-2021.

The graphic panel display of Evolution: Torres Strait Masks toured through international embassies, featuring at the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery, the Australian High Commission Fiji, and the Egyptian Cultural Centre.

Public Programmes

The Gab Titui Cultural Centre’s commitment to Torres Strait Islander history and culture underpins many of its public programmes. The programmes achieved outstanding results in 2019-2020, with a busy calendar of events including staple favourites – traditional weaving, lino and screen printing, and jewellery making.

New activities added to the schedule included traditional cooking demonstrations, traditional choral and musical performances, lectures, and cultural presentations. The schedule of events also expanded the range of programmes devised for targeted audiences such as students with disabilities, the elderly, and school-aged children.

Activities and events based at the centre maintained the success of previous years and continued to engage visitors and community members. A programme highlight was the Sai – Fish Traps Community Art Project, which commenced in March 2019, with over 150 people contributing to a single work of art.

The purpose of the project was multidimensional, with a primary focus on educating audiences on the significant role that the sai (fish traps) played in the landmark Mabo Native Title decision. The completion of the project coincided with National Reconciliation Week, culminating in a lecture night discussing the historical context, cultural connections, legend stories and artistic interpretation of the project.

Torres Strait language strategy

Completed/on schedule

The TSRA, in partnership with stakeholders and the Torres Strait Traditional Language Advisory Committee, further developed the initiatives in the Torres Strait Traditional Languages Plan 2016-2019 and the Torres Strait Languages Charter.

The TSRA supported a wide range of initiatives in recognition of the International Year of Indigenous Languages, celebrated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2019. They included Torres Strait delegations to the Bana Guyurru: Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Forum in Cairns and the PULiiMA Indigenous Language and Technology Conference in Darwin. Local events held to acknowledge the year included Kulkalgaw Choir performances, traditional dancing, artist talks, art workshops and cooking demonstrations in language.

Native Title compensation

Completed/on schedule

One ILUA was successfully registered with the National Native Title Tribunal in 2019–20, with a compensation value of approximately $31,000.

Since 2005, 79 ILUAs have been registered. The total value of compensation is approximately $5.715 million.

Land Holding Act (Katter Leases)

Completed/on schedule

A total of 354 Katter lease applications have been received from the region since the introduction of the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (Land Holding) Act 1985 (Qld): 107 perpetual leases were granted, 131 entitlements were recognised and 116 applications were found to be invalid. The entitlements are located in the communities of Badu (8); Boigu (48); Mabuyag (15); Masig (13); Saibai (13); St Pauls (11); Ugar (6); and Warraber (17).

Management of Future Acts and ILUAs

Completed/on schedule

The Native Title Office received 91 Future Acts notices in 2019-2020. Responses have been provided to all 91 of those notices.

Native Title claim Sea Claim Part B (QUD6040/2001)

Completed/on schedule

The Native Title Representative Body has been assisting and facilitating the representation of the applicant and Indigenous respondents to this claim.

A successful Claims Group meeting was conducted in December 2018 to appoint a new applicant to the claim and to reduce the area of the claim. The new applicant is meeting with the applicants of the overlapping claims area to achieve a consent determination.

NTRB legal services

Completed/on schedule

The Native Title Office provides a wide range of legal assistance to the PBCs and Traditional Owners in the region upon request. Table 2-19 provides statistical information on the level of engagement in 2019-2020.

PBC support and capacity building

Completed/on schedule

The Native Title Office provides support to 21 PBCs in the region to ensure that they maintain legislative compliance and can effectively engage with the Traditional Owners in their communities.

The TSRA has memorandums of understanding in place with two high-performing PBCs, agreeing to a range of fee-for-service activities that the PBCs will perform on behalf of the TSRA. Fee-for-service payments by the TSRA offset the PBCs’ operating costs. These PBCs do not receive grant funding.

Number of reported non-compliance matters involving PBCs

Completed/on schedule

There are no reported non-compliance matters for the region.

Number of DOGITs transferred to PBCs with appropriate support mechanisms

Not started

There were no Deed of Grant in Trust transfers in 2019-2020. This activity is initiated by local government with the TSRA providing support to the PBCs as required.

Invasive species management

Completed/ on schedule

The TSRA successfully implements invasive species management through a combination of technical and on-ground support for community-based monitoring and mitigation of biosecurity threats, and participation in collaborative planning, policy and activities for regional approaches

to biosecurity threats and impacts. This includes attendance in, and contributions to, the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Biosecurity Working Group and the Torres Strait Invasive Species Advisory Group.

Funded through the Queensland Government’s Natural Resources Investment Program, significant invasive species management projects deliver outcomes for communities such as:

• controlling and mitigating the spread of cane toad populations in the Torres Strait
• managing feral horses and pigs on Moa
• assessing the impacts of invasive species on natural and cultural systems on Boigu and Saibai
• eradicating black rats on Warul Kawa.

Invasive species monitoring is regularly undertaken by the TSRA in partnership with regional partners and includes the identification and management of potentially threatening invasive species.

TSRA rangers and other Indigenous workers in the Torres Strait have taken part in biodiversity fundamentals and rapid response training to build capacity in biosecurity work being undertaken across northern Australia.

Sustainable horticulture

Completed/ on schedule

The Sustainable Horticulture Project delivers place-based horticultural

services, education and resources to Torres Strait communities, supporting individual, family and community wellbeing through the practice of sustainable food production.

Educational workshops, practical demonstrations, backyard garden support and school visits provide technical information, resources and capacities

for communities to build both traditional and contemporary seasonal and sustainable gardens. The project is supported by community Elders who are involved in teaching traditional knowledge of gardening practices.

The project is supporting communities to continue to manage and progress sustainable horticultural through:

• the development of planting guides and fact sheets
• demonstrations and resources promoting sustainable water use
• regional information sharing and competitions
• training and resources for aquaponics systems
• support in trialling various gardening techniques suitable for unique island landscapes.

Marine ecosystem monitoring

Completed/ on schedule

Rangers have been trained in seagrass monitoring techniques and are actively carrying out intertidal monitoring in seven communities.

Surveys to measure the extent of coral bleaching were undertaken by the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University.

Remote weather and marine monitoring stations at three locations across the region continued to be maintained and collect weather and marine data.

Research was conducted to investigate the impacts of Fly River pollution on marine water quality in the Torres Strait, with preliminary results noting that previous concerns appear to have been unwarranted as copper levels are quite low and water quality remains very good. A hydrologist report noted that this was due to the mudflats at the mouth of the Fly River in Papua New Guinea, which absorb and filter a great deal of suspected contaminants.

CSIRO researchers involved with the project visited and reported their findings to communities where the monitoring sites were located.

Torres Strait Indigenous Ranger Project

Completed/ on schedule

In 2019, the TSRA Torres Strait Indigenous Ranger Project marked an important milestone: 10 years of Torres Strait rangers caring for their traditional homelands and surrounding sea country.

Since the first ranger commenced at Mabuyag in 2009, the number of TSRA rangers has increased to include 60 staff working across 13 outer islands. The size of the TSRA Land and Sea Management Unit has also grown, to ensure that rangers are properly supported to successfully complete their duties to a high standard and in a professional and safe manner at all times.

Funded through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, rangers work closely with Traditional Owners, RNTBCs and key stakeholders across 14 communities on 13 islands, to deliver a suite of natural and cultural management actions against each island’s endorsed WoC plan.

The TSRA is conducting a staged process of updating WoC plans for each community. During 2019-2020, consultations took place with Masigalgal Traditional Owners to finalise the Masig WoC plan. Similarly, on-country workshops were held on Mer, Moa and Erub early in 2020; WoC plans for those islands are now in draft form and will be finalised within coming months.

A highlight of 2019-2020 was the delivery of large projects that showcase the value that a team of rangers can deliver on country. Such projects included restoration of the Dabangay heritage site on Mabuyag and freshwater

wells on Masig, and the conduct of multiagency compliance patrols in the Top Western Cluster.

Rangers continue to deliver benefits to communities through a suite of local and regional on-ground activities, including invasive pest and weed control, marine debris management, surveillance and monitoring, dugong and turtle management, cultural site protection, traditional ecological knowledge recording and preservation, and environmental compliance patrols.

Environmental education project

Completed/ on schedule

Environmental education is integrated into various projects within the Environmental Management Programme, including the use of traditional ecological knowledge in ranger activities with schools and the broader communities.

A key educational outcome has been the development of a biosecurity curriculum in regional schools, along with experiential learning opportunities such as student attendance at biosecurity camps with rangers and traditional owners. As a result, young people studying in the Torres Strait now have access to biosecurity information and are building biosecurity knowledge bases.

Traditional ecological knowledge project

Completed/ on schedule

The traditional ecological knowledge project supports participating Torres Strait communities to utilise a computer database for the collection, protection and controlled sharing of traditional knowledge relevant to each community while ensuring adherence to their individually defined cultural protocols.

Twelve Torres Strait outer island communities are utilising the TSRA’s traditional ecological knowledge system. Traditional ecological knowledge training was conducted in three communities in 2019-2020.

The TSRA supported eight communities to develop educational resources that share publicly available traditional knowledge while promoting the revitalisation of Torres Strait languages.

These resources include commonly available traditional knowledge that is used, with RNTBC permission, to guide future ranger work on country and to ensure that ranger work is undertaken in a culturally appropriate way, in the right season, for the effective delivery of land and sea management.

The educational resources developed in 2019-2020 included seasonal calendars and booklets which feature the work of local artists and tell the stories of how Torres Strait Islanders have survived and thrived on the land. The TRSA project team worked with Traditional Owners to finalise a seasonal calendar for Masig and a poster for Mer. Additional resources are under development for Erub, Warraber, Poruma, Boigu, Mabuyag and Saibai.

Dugong and turtle management

Completed/ on schedule

MANAGEMENT PLANS

Dugong and turtle management plans have been in place for all outer island communities since 2016. A community review process to update the plans commenced in 2018-2019 and continued in 2019-2020.

The updated plans aim to build capacity for traditional ways of governance through cultural protocols and management arrangements for traditional hunting allied with the latest research on the state of the species, legislation, and identification of breaches between law, lore and education.

A draft management plan and permitting system for the Kaiwalagal region was developed by Kaurareg Traditional Owners, with support from the TSRA, through a community cultural consultant. Kaurareg Traditional Owners are now working towards endorsing the plan and determining how it can be implemented.

MONITORING AND RESEARCH

The Environmental Management Programme strengthened research, monitoring and reporting works for green turtles and hawksbill turtles to better integrate adaptive management processes and system connectivity (especially with the Great Barrier Reef green turtles and Raine Island).

Annual turtle nesting and hatchling monitoring included:

— conducting nesting and hatchling monitoring surveys at Aukane Islet and Maizab Kaur

— reinstating turtle monitoring and deploying sand temperature loggers at Mer and Dauar

— identifying future tagging and research directives for Warul Kawa in partnership with IPA applicants (relevant RNTBCs), for monitoring to be re-established in late 2020.

A marine indicators science workshop was held in Cairns in October 2020, to align science directives for vital ecological monitoring programmes such as the annual seagrass monitoring and mapping led by the Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER).

The TSRA helped to lead the discussion to develop strategic recovery plans for Torres Strait green turtle and hawksbill turtle species across the Great Barrier Reef.

This resulted in stronger partnerships and monitoring priorities among organisations and researchers with interests in the stocks of green, hawksbill and flatback turtles across the Torres Strait, and re-educated researchers to ensure that all analyses and outcomes are shared with communities.

A plan to integrate Torres Strait marine turtle projects into broader national and international monitoring and management frameworks is underway and will be taken to communities for Traditional Owner input once

COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

TropWATER continues to produce posters and report cards and visit communities to present yearly results. With assistance from TropWATER, the TSRA conducted seagrass monitoring at Dungeness Reef and Masig,

Naghir, and Mabuyag. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the May 2020

survey of the Torres Strait Dugong Sanctuary has been rescheduled for September 2020.

Biodiversity planning and management

Completed/ on schedule

Biodiversity surveys continue to build on the collection of baseline data and monitoring across the region.

The TSRA, Kaurareg Traditional Owners and expert consultants conducted biodiversity surveys at Irriki (Murulag), Warul Kawa, Saibai and Maizab Kaur. The activities resulted in the collection of terrestrial flora and fauna inventories, assessments of ecological condition, the identification of threats to terrestrial systems and biodiversity, and the development and implementation of culturally appropriate monitoring methodologies to measure change in natural systems.

Survey works further developed data collection tools used by the TSRA that improve the availability of biodiversity and biocultural information and traditional ecological knowledge and streamline data into formats that ranger groups can use in on-ground management.

Outcomes from the survey work included the recording of species not previously recorded by Western science, and, significantly, the use, teaching and recording of traditional ecological knowledge on the cultural significance and traditional use of plants, animals and natural processes. Results have been collated into technical and community reports for the use of Traditional Owners and others who work with them in biodiversity planning.

Strategic biodiversity planning and management was also further informed by research and reporting on indicators for monitoring terrestrial island ecosystem change and a review of Torres Strait terrestrial ecosystem reports and data.

Indigenous Protected Areas project

Completed/ on schedule

IPAs in the Torres Strait are protected areas that are established and managed under the cultural authority of Traditional Owners.

During 2019-2020, priority management activities delivered in IPAs by rangers included:

— holding workshops with Traditional Owners on Poruma and Warraber to further develop a plant and animal book for Warraberalgal Porumalgal IPA

— installing data loggers in the central islands to monitor effects of shipping wakes on uninhabited islands

— conducting vessel surveys to progress the rat eradication project on Warul Kawa, a part of Ugul Malu Kawal IPA, and completing a vessel survey of Warraberalgal Porumalgal IPA.

Signage and brochures were developed for IPAs, and rangers consistently monitored the health of the IPA islands and sea country over the course of their work.

Rangers and the TSRA’s IPA Team worked collaboratively with Traditional Owners in the three Torres Strait IPAs to deliver actions against endorsed plans of management for the areas.

The IPA Team worked with Mabuygilgal Traditional Owners from Mabuyag to finalise the update of the management plan for Kalalagaw IPA. The new plan incorporates up-to-date Traditional Owner aspirations for management of the IPA under a traditional cultural framework, a pathway to self-governance and the inclusion of additional islands (Mipa and Woeydhul) within the IPA.

The team also provided advice and support to the communities of Mer, Iama and Masig in developing grant applications for new IPAs for those communities. Due to extensive competition, the applications were unsuccessful. The IPA team continues to work with the communities to fulfil their aspirations of declaring an IPA over their traditional land and sea country.

Compliance

Completed/ on schedule

As a component of the national Capacity Building for Indigenous Rangers Strategy, the TSRA has established a specialist unit to support environmental compliance management responsibilities in the Torres Strait. The unit assists individuals and entities undertaking activities in the region to do so in compliance with relevant legislation, policy, agreements (including culturally based plans), the Torres Strait Treaty and licence conditions.

Rangers are central to this effort, and 40 rangers have undertaken nationally recognised compliance training, with a further 20 rangers scheduled to complete the training in 2020-2021. Rangers are undertaking island-specific compliance-focused patrols and surveillance activities and participating in multiagency patrols to protect and preserve the Torres Strait region.

The compliance programme has been extended for 12 months to focus on compliance and training initiatives while strengthening intelligence capacity.

The programme builds on the excellent relationships that the TSRA has developed with partner agencies and is focused on consolidating its position in and support for Australian Government whole-of-government activities and strategies.

Climate change adaptation and resilience

Completed/ on schedule

Actions identified in the Torres Strait Regional Adaptation and Resilience Plan 2016-2021 continue to be implemented.

Community resilience workshops were held with the Masig and Mer communities and a resilience framework was drafted to guide the development of increased resilience at the local and regional scales.

Sustainability business case options have been developed for Masig as part of the Queensland Government’s Decarbonisation of Great Barrier Reef Islands initiative.

The TSRA is collaborating with Queensland Health to develop and deliver community workshops on climate change and health.

A process is underway to develop a regional waste management strategy.

Improved drone technology has been secured and tested to accurately map changes in key coastal sites.

The TSRA is working with the TSIRC and the TSC to develop a regional coastal adaptation strategy.

Digital noticeboards have been installed in 17 locations across the region in partnership with Community Enterprise Queensland and local stores.

A weather station was installed at Mer to complete the network of six regional TSRA – Australian Institute of Marine Science weather stations.

Number of actions in the climate change strategy and associated action plans implemented

Completed/ on schedule

Local adaptation and resilience plans have been developed for the 14 outer island communities.

Fifty-eight actions identified in the Torres Strait Regional Adaptation and Resilience Plan 2016-2021 are in progress or have been completed.

Number of inhabited islands with active food-producing community gardens in place

Completed/ on schedule

Fourteen islands in the Torres Strait have active food-producing gardens. They include:

• gardens growing traditional and contemporary crops using a combination of techniques (Boigu, Saibai, Dauan, Warraber)
• community gardens (Ngurapai, Saibai and St Pauls)
• an increasing number of backyard gardens (Badu and Masig).

Gardening activities in the region include:

• experimenting with raised garden beds (Poruma)
• testing and enriching island soils (Warraber)
• companion planting (Iama)
• running community nurseries (Warraber and Ngurapai).

6,391

6,790

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Activity

Flag

Status

Community consultation and engagement

Behind schedule less than three months

During 2019-2020, community engagement visits were undertaken at Saibai, Iama, St Pauls, Boigu, Erub, Ngurapai and Muralag (single event), Port Kennedy, TRAWQ, Poruma and Kubin by the Chairperson, the acting Chief Executive Officer, programme managers and support staff.

Integrated

Service Delivery coordination

Not started (activity restructured)

The TSRA held the inaugural Regional Interagency Forum in September 2019, to engage senior officers from local, state and Commonwealth agencies in guiding the future Integrated Service Delivery framework for the region.

The forum was structured around the core themes of the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Regional Plan 2009-2029, and participants were asked to identify issues, gaps and existing governance structures for each theme and to reflect on progress to date. During the forum, TSRA Board members requested that the TSRA refocus community booklets to project plans outlining the delivery of priority community infrastructure needs.

Following on from the inaugural event, the TSRA plans to host a Torres Strait regional health and wellbeing forum during 2020-2021. This forum will aim to identify service gaps and outline a framework for a more collaborative, holistic approach to culturally appropriate primary and secondary health care in the Torres Strait region.

Media and communications support

Completed/ on schedule

This is a contracted activity delivered through Zakazukha Marketing Communications.

Internal and external audit support

Completed/ on schedule

The external and internal audit programmes were completed. Reports tracking the status of audit recommendations were provided at four Audit Committee meetings.

Assistance with Tertiary Education Scheme

Completed/ on schedule

Twelve Torres Strait residents were supported in 2019-2020 to undertake bachelor’s degrees at a mainland campus.

Chief Executive Officer, Board and Chairperson support

Completed/ on schedule

Three Executive Committee meetings, three Audit Committee meetings, three Board meetings and five special out-of-session Board meetings were conducted in 2019-2020.

The Governance and Leadership Programme provides executive support for the office of the TSRA Chairperson and the Chief Executive Officer.

Board, internal and external committee secretariat support

Completed/ on schedule

In addition to providing secretariat services to the TSRA Board, the Governance and Leadership Programme provides secretariat support to the Executive Committee, Audit Committee, Programme Steering Committee and Regional Governance Committee, and support for TSRA representation in the PZJA.

Indigenous leadership

Completed/ on schedule

The Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) and Training Rural Australians in Leadership (TRAIL) are delivered in partnership with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF).

During 2019-2020, the TSRA supported one new Torres Strait participant in the ARLP, and one ongoing participant who will complete the programme in 2020.

The TSRA supported three successful applicants for TRAIL in 2020. However, the programme was postponed until 2020-2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The TSRA has supported the following TRAIL participants:

— 2015-2016 – one male

• 2016-2017 – two males and one female

— 2017-2018 – one male

• 2018-2019 – one male and four females
• 2019-2020 – one male and two females.

Support to regional broadcasting

Completed/ on schedule

The Torres Strait Islander Media Association met its targets for broadcasting hours and local content during 2019-2020.

However, only two of the eight outer island stations were operational at 30 June 2020. Travel restrictions have delayed travel for technicians, but three more stations should be operational by December 2020. Additional resourcing may be required for the re-establishment of the remaining three outer island stations.

Women’s leadership and youth leadership

Completed/ on schedule

The Torres Strait Young Leaders Program and the Torres Strait Women’s Leadership Program are delivered in partnership with the ARLF.

Seven participants (four female and three male) were supported in the Torres Strait Young Leaders Program and nine women were supported to undertake the Torres Strait Women’s Leadership Program.

Common Funding Round

Completed/ on schedule

The Governance and Leadership Programme has responsibility for delivery of the TSRA’s biannual Common Funding Round.

The programme is also responsible for the grant management database and the TSRA’s Grant Procedures Manual.

Due to the restrictions on community activities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the first Common Funding Round for 2020 was replaced with the TSRA COVID-19 Community Response Initiative to support organisations to deliver community services during the pandemic.

Agency plans and reporting

Completed/ on schedule

The Governance and Leadership Programme ensured that the TSRA effectively met its planning and reporting obligations in 2019-2020. This included delivering the:

— Annual Report

— Quarterly Report to the Minister for Indigenous Australians

— Torres Strait Development Plan

— Corporate Plan.

The TSRA also delivers ad hoc reports to the Australian Parliament as a body of the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio.

Increase in Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal women participating in leadership roles in the region

Completed/ on schedule

The Torres Strait Women’s Leadership Program is delivered in partnership with the ARLF.

The 2012 baseline was six participants. Since 2015-2016, the TSRA has supported participants including:

• 2015-2016 – seven participants
• 2016-2017 – 10 participants
• 2017-2018 – 10 participants
• 2018-2019 – eight participants
• 2019-2020 – nine participants.

Increase in Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal youth (aged 18-25)

who participate in leadership development activities

Completed/ on schedule

The Torres Strait Young Leaders Program is delivered in partnership with the ARLF.

The TSRA has supported Torres Strait Young Leaders Program participants including:

• 2015-2016 – two males and four females
• 2016-2017 – three males and three females
• 2017-2018 – two males and five females
• 2018-2019 – three males and five females
• 2019-2020 – three males and four females.

Seawalls

Completed/ on schedule

In 2019-2020, the Australian Government committed an additional

$20 million of funding for Stage 2 of the Torres Strait Seawalls Programme.

The programme now has a total budget of $40 million and will increase coastal protection for low-lying Torres Strait communities at Boigu, Poruma, Warraber, Iama and Masig.

Stage 2 has commenced. It will be rolled out as a joint initiative between the TSRA and the Queensland Government and will conclude in 2022.

Major infrastructure projects

Behind schedule more than three months

The TSRA continued to roll out the Major Infrastructure Programme Stage 6, a $30 million jointly funded Australian Government and Queensland Government programme.

The full Stage 6 programme was scheduled for completion by June 2020. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the completion of several projects to November 2020.

Regional water operations and support

Completed/ on schedule

The TSRA supported the TSIRC to complete the Sustainable Water and Wastewater Management Project. This project will support best practice water management for the region to address chronic water shortages experienced in many of the Torres Strait island communities.

Major Infrastructure and Other Projects Trust

Completed/ on schedule

The TSRA continued to work with the TSIRC to identify infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions to allow for all-tide safe access to the Ugar community. During 2019-2020, a dredged channel option was endorsed as a viable option. The Ugar flight subsidy remained operational.

The TSRA funded a range of minor infrastructure projects. Over the past four years, the three regional councils (TSC, TSIRC and NPARC) have been allocated funding for 30 projects.

Projects allocated funding in 2019-2020 included the construction of footpaths and sports field and community lighting. The projects were completed in June 2020.

Healthy fresh food and horticulture

Completed/ on schedule

The Healthy Communities Programme provided grant funding to community organisations to support market garden activities.

The Environmental Management Programme’s Mekem Garden Sustainable Horticulture Project delivered food garden initiatives and workshops.

Communities on 14 islands - including Boigu, Saibai, Dauan, Warraber, Ngurapai, St Pauls, Badu, Masig, Poruma and Iama - have been involved in the development of community and backyard garden projects which promote the growing of fresh foods in Torres Strait communities.

The Healthy Communities Programme complemented those activities with visits to run grant information sessions for the community.

Sport and recreation activities (grant funding)

Completed/ on schedule

The Torres Strait Youth and Recreational Sporting Association continued to administer sports subsidy funding on behalf of the TSRA throughout the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area region.

The association provided 78 sport and recreation grants to encourage participation in a range of sporting and recreational activities, including sporting events at the state and national levels, and to fund five major local sporting carnival events.

Waste and landfill projects

Behind schedule more than three months

The Healthy Communities Programme continued to work with key stakeholders in local and state government and Australian Government agencies to find solutions to address waste management issues in the region.

In 2019-2020, the Major Infrastructure Programme supported a sewage pond upgrade and the construction of a new regional waste facility for the Northern Peninsula Area. The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic has delayed these projects, but they are on track to be completed in 2020.

Horn Island affordable housing project

Not started

This joint project with the TSC aimed to provide additional options for affordable home ownership in the region. The TSRA’s planned contribution to the project is to construct a 24-lot subdivision on Ngurapai (Horn Island).

Due to ongoing delays because of Native Title issues, there has been an increase in costs, for which the TSC is seeking additional funding from the Queensland Government.

Health promotion and community education projects

Completed/ on schedule

The TSRA provides operational funding to the Torres Strait Youth and Recreational Sporting Association. In 2019-2020, the association provided support to sporting events in the region and worked closely with event organisers and stakeholders, such as Queensland Health, to deliver health and nutrition education initiatives.

The TSRA also influences policy for health programmes across all tiers of government, through participation in the:

Torres Strait Cross Border Health Issues Committee

National Health Leadership Forum

Department of Health: Implementation Plan Advisory Group

Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children Steering Committee

James Cook University Torres Strait Island Health Science Consultative Committee

Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Partnership meetings.

Increased participation by community members in structured sport, recreation and other healthy activities

Behind schedule more than three months

Five major local sporting events were supported and 78 sports subsidy grants for sporting and recreational activities were approved.

COVID-19 impacts have affected the delivery of the sporting events, although sports subsidies are committed for delivery later in 2020.

Increased inclusion of the Torres Strait in state and federal funding initiatives relating to investment in housing and affordable home ownership

Not started

The TSRA has contributed funding to a project to complete a subdivision on Ngurapai (Horn Island). Issues with Native Title previously delayed this project.

Construction was set to commence in 2019-2020 but did not proceed due to insufficient funds. The TSC is seeking additional funding from the Queensland Government.

School attendance and learning initiatives (grants)

Completed/ on schedule

The TSRA provided a grant to Torres Strait Kaziw Meta Inc. to purchase a 14-seater bus to provide safe and secure transport for secondary school students to and from school, medical centres and community, cultural and sporting events.

Community safety partnerships

Completed/ on schedule

The TSRA has a range of key partnerships related to community safety, with relevant local, state and Australian Government agencies. The TSRA is a member of the Torres Strait Child and Family Committee, the Local Level Alliance and the Torres Strait Marine Safety Programme.

Community safety projects (grants)

Completed/ on schedule

The TSRA is an active member of the Torres Strait Marine Safety Program, which oversees the delivery of a range of initiatives including boat safety training, provision of safety drop bags and children’s life jackets, and school-based maritime safety education.

Law enforcement partnerships

Completed/ on schedule

The TSRA provides funding support for the delivery of legal services for residents in the region. The service is provided by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (Qld) Ltd.

In 2019-2020, 1,071 cases relating to duty lawyer, criminal, family and civil casework were supported, and 1,167 cases were supported for advice and minor assistance.

The Community Legal Education Officer role continues to assist clients to understand the legal process.

Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme

Completed/ on schedule

The TSRA works with the Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads, through a memorandum of understanding, to deliver the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme.

In 2019-2020, through the scheme, the TSRA contributed funding to three projects in the TSIRC area, which delivered airport road improvements

at Erub, an airstrip fence replacement at Warraber, and a regional marine access channel dredging study.

Social services delivered by non-

government organisations

– Port Kennedy Association and Mura Kosker Sorority

Completed/ on schedule

Core operational and social service support funding was provided to the Port Kennedy Association and the Mura Kosker Sorority to continue to deliver important community social support services.

With this support, the organisations deliver programmes such as child and family support services, after-school and holiday care programmes, and domestic and family violence counselling. Both organisations act as auspicing bodies for individuals and unincorporated bodies that apply for community grants.

The Port Kennedy Association currently employs 15 Indigenous staff and the Mura Kosker Sorority currently employs 26 Indigenous staff, in roles including administrators, counsellors, outreach workers and programme coordinators and managers. The Mura Kosker Sorority’s funding also helps to support wellbeing officers on the outer islands.

Coordination of infrastructure planning

Completed/ on schedule

The TSRA works closely with the three local government councils and the Queensland Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs to coordinate and deliver jointly funded projects in the region.

In 2019-2020, the TSRA continued to support the Community Minor Infrastructure Fund. The fourth round of the fund provided joint funding for three projects that improved community safety in the NPARC area, through the improvement of footpaths in the Bamaga community and sports field lighting in the Seisia and Bamaga communities.

The TSRA is also a member of two local council technical working groups which facilitate information sharing on regional infrastructure planning and coordination.

Community capacity building (grants)

Completed/ on schedule

Three grants were provided to community organisations to encourage capacity building and to improve the delivery of services in communities.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (Qld) Ltd also delivers capacity-building workshops to communities in relation to social justice matters.

Social and economic engagement partnerships

Behind schedule less than three months

In 2019-2020, the TSRA worked with key partners to improve social and economic community engagement. The Safe Communities Programme contributed to Integrated Service Delivery forums as well as interagency social service forums.

Social services delivered by non-government organisations (grants)

Completed/ on schedule

The capacity-building implementation project built governance and administrative capacity in the Mura Kosker Sorority and the Port Kennedy Association, which improved the delivery of social support services in the Torres Strait region.

The Port Kennedy Association received grant funding to continue its community after-school care programme in 2019-2020.

All Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people employed in the TSRA-supported social services sector in the region have appropriate accreditation

Completed/ on schedule

The TSRA provides the Mura Kosker Sorority and the Port Kennedy Association with an annual operational budget that includes appropriations for training and accreditation.

Indigenous employees of those organisations have appropriate accreditation to effectively perform their duties within the social

services sector. These include certificates in aged care and disability services, children’s services, community services, accounting, and business administration.

AII TSRA-funded service delivery organisations in the region provide quality services and operate in accordance with relevant standards

Completed/ on schedule

Social support services are effectively delivered in the region by the Mura Kosker Sorority and the Port Kennedy Association. The services are operated in accordance with relevant standards under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Qld) and within the TSRA’s funding guidelines.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (Qld) Ltd delivers legal services in the region in accordance with relevant standards and guidelines.

Reduction in service referrals, response timeframes and waiting lists for social service providers

Completed/ on schedule

The programmes delivered by the Mura Kosker Sorority and the Port Kennedy Association include child safety services, child and family services, disability services, respite services and services for older people.

The number of service referrals varies depending on clients’ individual circumstances. All responses to clients and waiting lists are managed in line with the service standards of those organisations.

Increased participation in TSRA-supported community events by residents and TSRA- funded service organisations

Completed/ on schedule

The number of residents and TSRA-funded organisations participating in various community events continued to grow, increasing from 500 in 2018-2019 to 600 in 2019-2020.

Community events coordinated by the Mura Kosker Sorority and the Port Kennedy Association include events related to International Women’s Day, Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, Seniors Week, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, and Child Protection Week.