A Community-Led Approach to Economic Development
In April, the Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC) launched a foundational step toward a long-term strategy focused on job creation, business development, and sustainability deeply rooted in local culture, knowledge and values: the first phase of its Economic Development Community Engagement.
This initiative, funded by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and delivered in partnership with Emver Partners, represents a collaborative effort to place the voices and aspirations of Torres Strait Islanders at the forefront of regional planning. With engagement already underway, all 15 TSIRC communities are contributing through local sessions and an online survey to shape the region’s economic future.
The insights gathered during this engagement will inform a comprehensive 10-year Community-Based Economic Development (CBED) Action Plan, which will serve as a roadmap for empowering communities, supporting local enterprises and strengthening cultural and environmental resilience.
Mayor Phillemon Mosby said empowerment through community-led economic development is critical to the future of the Torres Strait, “By placing culture and community aspirations at the centre of this strategy, we ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.”
Guided by our communities and working together, we are creating a future where economic growth uplifts every island.
