Joint Media Release - PR341

Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Regional Plan Signed

For Immediate Release – 23 July 2009

Torres Strait leaders reached an historic milestone on Wednesday with the signing of the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Regional Plan. 

The regional planning process began in August 2008 when the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Board, and Councillors and Mayors of the Torres Shire Council (TSC), the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC), and the Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC) agreed to work together towards a unified vision for the region that would shape the future for this strategically important part of Australia. 

The Regional Plan was developed following a robust community consultation process.  The Queensland Government Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (ATSIP) also provided assistance throughout the consultations.

The Plan is based on the results of community consultations which means the document is owned by the communities of the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area region. It is a living document that will be reviewed each year to ensure that the goals and objectives are being addressed. 

The Chairperson of the TSRA, Mr Toshie Kris, said formalising the Plan is a key step towards shaping a regional partnership to guide whole of government planning and program delivery in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area. 

“We will now work together to negotiate a regional service delivery agreement, based on our regional plan, with all government agencies servicing our communities” said Mr Kris. 

Councillor Pedro Stephen, Mayor of the TSC, stated this is a positive step in shaping the direction of our region and sets a strong pathway towards closing the gap and addressing the unique needs of our communities. 

Councillor Stephen said, “This plan is the spark to achieving integrated service delivery and will go a long way towards reducing duplication.  It is important that our communities receive the maximum amount of support from all levels of government to address their needs”

Councillor Fred Gela, Mayor of TSIRC said the Plan will inform all levels of service delivery and for the first time will allow leaders to set targets and time-frames.

 “Not only does the Regional Plan provide a clear direction to begin to close the gap, for the first time, milestones and time-frames will be allocated against aspects of the service delivery to definitively track progress and hold government accountable,” said Councillor Gela.

Councillor Joseph Elu, Mayor of the NPARC, added “Integrated planning will maximise benefits to the region - we need to do this right so that our children and grandchildren will have a better future.”

The Torres Strait leadership will be approaching Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Minister Jenny Macklin from the Federal Government as well as Premier Anna Bligh and Minister Desley Boyle from the State Government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to secure their commitment to the Regional Plan.

TSRA Media Contact:  Yoshi Hirakawa, Telephone No. (07) 4069 0700