Raising awareness about impacts and adaptation
The Queensland government has approved funding for sea walls to protect Torres Strait island communities from inundation by king tides.
(listen to the full podcast: Queensland funds Torres Strait sea walls)
But,
The federal government says Queensland is robbing Torres Strait islanders of vital funds for sewage and fresh water projects to build sea walls.
(for more, listen here: Torres Strait ‘robbed’ with sea wall funding)
What do you think? Should MIP funding be used to build sea walls?
Breached sea wall on Saibai Island during king tides
The Australian Government announced that up to $12 million will be made available to the Torres Strait Island Regional Council and the Torres Strait Regional Authority to support much-needed coastal infrastructure upgrades. $5 million in funding will come from the Regional Development Australia Fund, with the possibility of an additional $7 million if the Queensland Government will match the funding.
The Australian Government initially promised $22 million to support this work, but they backflipped on this promise only months later.
SBS (listen): Funds for Torres Strait Sea Walls
ABC News: Crean urges seawalls fund partnership
Viewer advice: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following video contains images and voices of people who have passed away.
My first peer-reviewed article, which I co-authored with Donna Green and Willie Lui, is now available online. In it, we explore possible explanations of why one island in the Torres Strait issued a public refusal to allow further scientific research on climate change on their island - despite general recognition that adapting to climate change is an important priority for Torres Strait communities.
