Climate Change in the Torres Strait

In December 2011 the Federal Government back-flipped on its promise to rebuild sea walls in the Torres Strait. Minister for Regional Australia, Simon Crean, announced that the Federal Government would no longer provide the funds to rebuild dilapidated sea walls in the Torres Strait. Instead he passed the buck to the Queensland Government and the Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC). The Queensland Government has consistently ignored the issue of inundation in the Torres Strait Islands and the TSIRC does not have sufficient resources or funds to foot the bill.

The passing of the ‘Torres Strait Islands Sea Wall Bill’ with bipartisan support in August 2011 raised hopes that, after at least five years of tireless campaigning by Torres Strait Islanders, something was going to be done to address the issues of inundation and coastal erosion on the Islands.

The Government’s back-flip is callous, gutless and extremely disappointing.

For related media coverage, see:

‘TSIRC seeks $5 million to shore up sea walls’ (Torres News)

‘Torres Strait sea walls dissolving’ (The Cairns Post)

‘Council makes bid for $5 million sea wall revamp’ (ABC News)