Local government coordination across the Torres Strait, Cape York and Gulf region is continuing to gain in momentum with the coming together last week of all 14 of the region’s local governing authorities.
The Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance (TCICA) Inc held its first meeting for 2019 in Cairns on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 March to progress regional priorities and other common interests centred on progressing economic and social reform in Indigenous and remote communities.
TCICA Chair and Mayor of Torres Shire Council, Vonda Malone said the meeting was very productive and that all member councils are strongly committed to working together to improve the lives of local people.
“The TCICA is becoming a real force for change and that is why we are focussed on developing place-based and community-led responses to the challenges and opportunities facing us.
“We know that policies and programs aimed at addressing disadvantage in remote communities will only be successful if they are designed with us, not for us.
Mayor Malone said that the TCICA’s priorities include working in partnership with the Queensland and Australian Governments to co-design programs and policies to improve health and education, provide real employment opportunities for local people, support businesses, and diversify the regional economy.
“During the year we will converge on both Brisbane and Canberra to meet with Ministers and parliamentarians to make it clear that the TCICA is serious about leading change in our communities.
“We know that our strength is in collaboration and that by working together we can achieve some great outcomes,” Mayor Malone said.
During the meeting, Mayors also discussed proposed reforms to Queensland local government legislation, community responses to natural disaster events, road and infrastructure funding, and Queensland’s Local Thriving Communities service delivery reforms.
More information on the meeting can be found in the TCICA Communique