Media release
05 May 2010
Island communities in the Torres Strait
will receive tidal gauges to assist them
with monitoring sea levels through $1 million
in funding announced today.
King tides, wind and
extreme events and increasingly sea level
rise are causing tidal inundation and erosion
on islands across the Torres Strait.
The gauges will monitor
mean sea levels on at least four islands,
providing key information to assess tidal
variation, potential sea level rise and
to support planning decisions. Operating
costs for the gauges will be jointly funded
by the Federal Government through FAHCSIA
and the Torres Strait Regional Authority.
The Federal Government
also announced today $400,000 for new research
into the impacts of climate change on Torres
Strait communities.
The Minister for Climate
Change, Energy Efficiency and Water, Senator
Penny Wong, said the research would help
build scientific knowledge about the risk
of inundation to local communities.
Senator Wong and Member
for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour, today visited
several islands in the Torres Strait to
examine the problems caused by sea inundation
events and coastal erosion.
“After seeing firsthand
the unique challenges faced by these Island
communities, it is obvious that we need
to gain a better understanding of the potential
future impacts of climate change in this
unique region,’’ Senator Wong.
Minister for Indigenous
Affairs, Jenny Macklin, said Torres Strait
communities were particularly vulnerable
to the impacts of rising sea levels, but
were proactively addressing the issue.
“I commend the work
of the Torres Strait Regional Authority
to-date, which will form the foundation
for initiatives that help local communities
prepare for the impacts of climate change,’’
Ms Macklin said.
Mr Turnour said communities
in low lying locations were already suffering
regular flooding of their small townships
and cultural sites at times of high sea
levels.
“Climate change is a
real risk, we need to help these communities
to better understand the risks and to prepare
for it,’’ he said.
Yanga wetlands receive
biggest environmental water flow in years
Joint Media release
+ More
Report highlights climate
change impacts on indigenous communities
in the tropical north of Australia
Media release
5 May 2010
Indigenous communities in the tropical north
of Australia are amongst the most vulnerable
to the impacts of climate change, a new
report has found.
Released today in the
Torres Strait, the Risks from Climate Change
to Indigenous Communities in the Tropical
North of Australia report finds climate
change will have a significant impact on
indigenous communities in the tropical north.
This is despite the fact that indigenous
communities have adapted to natural changes
to the climate over thousands of years.
The report – the first
of its kind in Australia - examined the
impacts on the health, environment, infrastructure,
education, economic and employment of Indigenous
people, such as:
HEALTH : Climate change
is likely to have impacts on indigenous
health, through the spread of diseases and
reduction in bush food, and will create
new health risks.
EDUCATION : Need for curricula to enhance
the capacity of communities to adapt and
build resilience to climate change impacts.
ECOSYSTEMS: Disruption of wetlands, rivers
and streams from saltwater intrusion, negative
impacts for marine ecosystems and risks
to rainforests and mangroves.
INFRASTRUCTURE: Disruption to existing infrastructure,
including water resources.
Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency
and Water, Senator Penny Wong, visited Saibai
Island today – one of eight case studies
identified in the report.
Saibai is a low-lying
island with a main village about 1.7m to
2.5m above sea level. It has been subject
to repeated flooding and coastal erosion.
“Indigenous communities
face particular challenges because of their
isolation and socioeconomic situation,’’
Senator Wong said.
“They often have limited
access to services and live in regions that
are susceptible to extreme climate events.
“Helping these communities
to adapt to unavoidable climate change must
be a priority, as for many Torres Strait
residents relocation is simply not an option.’’
Mr Turnour said the
report would help increase understanding
of future threats to the local islands.
“Many local communities
are facing inundation and erosion problems,
so we must use this report to help them
to better adapt to and plan for climate
change today and in the future,’’ he said.
The report will be available
to download today from www.climatechange.gov.au.
