Program Overview: Housing and Environmental Health
The Housing and Environmental Health Infrastructure Program aims to increase the number of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal persons in the Torres Strait area with access to adequate housing, infrastructure facilities and essential municipal services consistent with and appropriate to their needs.
The output also aims to improve environmental health standards by providing appropriate and sustainable infrastructure and ensuring that adequate environmental health programs are implemented.
This output has one program, Housing and Environmental Health and is comprised of two sub-programs:
SUB-PROGRAM: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Objective Through the implementation of the Major Infrastructure Program (MIP), which addresses the various infrastructure needs of Torres Strait communities, the TSRA aims to improve the health status and general wellbeing of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living in the region.
The TSRA also contributes towards the continuing maintenance of water and sewerage infrastructure in the Torres Strait and aims to improve the standard of safety for passengers travelling to and from island communities by aircraft, through the upgrade of airstrips.
The Major Infrastructure Program
Description The Major Infrastructure Program (MIP) seeks to improve the infrastructure standards in the 15 outer island communities, as well as Bamaga and Seisia on the mainland. The Australian and Queensland Governments have provided joint contributions amounting to $60 million for Stages One and Two of the Program.
Further joint contributions totalling $32.4 million have been approved for the third stage of the Program. TSRA is currently drafting a New Policy Proposal to extend the current 10 Year MIP Program until 2015-2016.
Achievements Most of MIP Stages One and Two Projects have been finalised and the major focus for this year has been on MIP Three projects. The Mobile Desalination Unit project has been completed and regional metering at Hammond and Mer Communities is proceeding well. A summary of the status of MIP projects can be found in the TSRA 2005-2006 Annual Report.
Water Supply and Sewerage Infrastructure
Description To assist with the operation and maintenance of water supply and sewerage services in island communities so that ongoing capacity and maintenance is strengthened in infrastructure and that there are improved health, economic and social outcomes for communities.
Achievements The TSRA contributed $1.6 million to the Island Co-ordinating Council, for the continued support and maintenance of water supply and sewerage infrastructure in the region.
Airstrips
Description To upgrade airstrips in island communities so that access to these remote communities is enhanced along with improvements to aviation safety, health, economic and social outcomes.
Achievements With the completion of the Warraber and Mer airstrip upgrades in 2005-2006, and the Iama Airstrip in August 2006, all Torres Strait airstrips are now sealed.
SUB-PROGRAM: COMMUNITY HOUSING
Objective To maximise the provision of adequate and appropriate housing for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living in the Torres Strait region.
Description The Joint Torres Strait Housing and Infrastructure Agreement outlines the framework within which the delivery of housing and infrastructure programs are planned and coordinated in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area. As a result of the Bilateral Agreement, the Joint Torres Strait Housing and Infrastructure Committee was formed.
The TSRA provides Secretariat support for JTSHIC and TSRA Chairperson, Mr Kris, currently sits as JTSHIC Chairperson. The Joint Torres Strait Housing and Infrastructure Agreement between the Commonwealth Government, the Queensland Government, the Island Coordinating Council (ICC) and TSRA provides that JTSHIC membership comprises of one Australian Government representative, two Queensland Government representatives, one TSRA representative, and one Island Coordinating Council (ICC) representative.
The chief purpose of the Committee is to plan and coordinate housing and infrastructure development so that equitable outcomes for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living in the region are achieved. As such, this committee has an overseeing role in guiding and implementing housing policy in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area.
Achievements Four JTSHIC meetings were held during 2005-2006, and JTSHIC continued its valuable work in Housing and Infrastructure coordination and planning. The continuing success of Torres Strait housing and infrastructure development is in no small part due to JTSHIC’s role.
