ATNS - Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements project

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Torres Strait Housing and Infrastructure Agreement
Binomial Name:	Bilateral Agreement
Date:	1 January 2000
Sub Category:	Framework Agreement \| Funding Agreement
Place:	Torres Strait
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State/Country:	Queensland, Australia
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Alternative Names:	Agreement for the Planning and Coordination of Housing and Infrastructure for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal People Living in the Torres Strait Region Torres Strait Housing and Infrastructure Bilateral Agreement
Subject Matter:	\|
Summary Information:
The Agreement for the Planning and Coordination of Housing and Infrastructure for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal People Living in the Torres Strait Region ('the Agreement') was made between the Commonwealth Government, the Queensland Government, the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and the Island Coordinating Council (ICC) in January 2000. The duration of the Agreement was four years.
Detailed Information:
The Agreement is in six parts, which include principles, objectives and outcomes (Part 1); the roles of each of the parties (Part 2); structure and functions of the Torres Strait Housing and Infrastructure Committee (Part 3); guidelines for the Torres Strait Housing and Infrastructure Plan (Part 4); and funding and financial arrangements (Part 5). Objective Under clause 3, the objective of the four-year Agreement was 'to maximise the housing and related infrastructure outcomes and through these, improve environmental health outcomes for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living in the Torres Strait region of Queensland, within the available resources.' Agreed Outcomes The parties agreed to pursue the following outcomes: - housing assistance and infrastructure provision for 'those in greatest need'; - joint planning and coordination; - economic development, including in establishing ties between community councils and housing service providers; - increased efficiency in the delivery of housing assistance and infrastructure; - increased housing ownership by Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people or councils; and - improved environmental health. The strategies identified to address the above outcomes were as follows: - negotiation regarding the provision of funds; - creation of a funding pool to be used for constructing new houses, maintaining existing houses, delivering other housing assistance, and providing or maintaining related infrastructure; - development of housing management programs; - adoption of accountability standards for those responsible for funding and delivering housing assistance; and - provision for the direct involvement of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people in planning, resource allocation, service delivery and evaluation and management. The Commonwealth Grants Commission Report on Indigenous Funding stated in 2001 that '[f]unds are allocated according to the joint plan, which covers an indicative rolling capital works and asset management plan and strategies to implement training programs and generate employment. The plan includes data on housing need and identifies priorities for the application of resources.'