Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Phillemon Mosby engages with attendees to help understand each island’s unique needs. Photo: Facebook.
The Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC) has successfully concluded a five-day series of strategic workshops in Cairns, reflecting its ongoing commitment to engaging and building strong relationships with community members.
The event also underlined TSIRC’s Look, Listen and Adapt strategy, ensuring community insights inform tailored plans for each island’s unique needs.
It brought together councillors, Mayor Phillemon Mosby and chief executive officer James William from 10-14 November to focus on governance, financial sustainability, regional partnership and long-term planning across the Torres Strait.
Mayor Mosby acknowledged the event’s importance and the progress made.
“These workshops allow us to ground our planning in the realities our communities face every day,” Mayor Mosby said.
“Guided by the Malangu Yangu Wakay, we work with our stakeholders, capacity partners and other sister councils in unity toward self-determination and regional autonomy.
“This is the island way: we look, listen and adapt to each community’s unique needs to deliver an autonomous, prosperous and sustainable future for our people across Zenadth Kes.”
TSIRC welcomed visits from both levels of government during the workshops, including Federal Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith to discuss long-term investment priorities, including the region’s estimated $617 million infrastructure needs, housing challenges, renewable energy opportunities and climate adaptation.
State Member for Cook, David Kempton met with councillors to discuss TSIRC’s need for continued support for essential services, infrastructure and sustainable development.
A regional leadership forum with Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) Mayor Robert Poi Poi and Torres Shire Council (TSC) Mayor Elsie Seriat, alongside their deputies and CEOs, provided a key highlight of the workshops.
Discussions centred on shared challenges and strategies to strengthen regional autonomy and financial sustainability. The session reinforced a united commitment to the Malungu Yangu Wakay, working collaboratively as one region to achieve goals and aspirations.
On the final day, TSIRC hosted representatives from the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS), including chief executive Rex O’Rourke, to discuss health service delivery concerns raised by island communities. Councillors also welcomed Queensland Police Service (QPS) executive director Alan Dewis and principal First Nations cultural advisor Peter Pilot.
The Torres Strait Island Regional Council workshops come to life in song and dance. Photo: Facebook.
