The implications of climate change on the iconic Torres Strait Island ecosystems could see whole islands inundated by rising water levels, the Torres Strait Regional Authority has warned.

NatureAssist is for rural Queensland landholders to help sustainably manage their land, conditional upon them entering into a nature refuge agreement. NatureAssist is a competitive market-based incentive scheme that gives landholders throughout rural Queensland the opportunity to tender for financial assistance to carry out on-ground management actions that will maintain or enhance their property’s conservation values.  Expressions of interest must be submitted by 16 March 2009 (5pm AEST). Landholders can express their interest by completing a simple one-page expression of interest form available at www.epa.qld.gov.au/naturerefuges or by calling the EPA Customer Service Centre on 1300 130 372.
 

The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and James Cook University (JCU) recently held a three-day workshop on Thursday Island to explore tools for community-based management of dugongs and turtles in the Torres Strait.

The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) is an Australian Government Statutory Authority established on July 1 1994 under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989, which is today known as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Act 2005.

The TSRA has the responsibility to:

• Formulate, coordinate and implement programs for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living within the region;
• Monitor the effectiveness of these programs, including programs conducted by other bodies;
• Advise the Minister for Indigenous Affairs on matters relating to Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Affairs in the Torres Strait;
• Recognise and maintain the special and unique Ailan Kastom of the Torres Strait Islander people living in the Torres Strait Region; and
• Undertake activities necessary to perform its function as defined by the ATSI Act 2005.

The TSRA 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

TSRA’s Goals