TSIRC Builds Local Skills in Compliance and Environmental Health
The Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC) is strengthening community capability by investing in the training of its frontline workforce.
Authorised Persons and Environmental Health Workers (EHWs) are currently undertaking professional development to support the delivery of local laws and community health programs across our 15 island communities.
Authorised Persons
TSIRC Authorised Persons play a vital role in regulating dog management and animal control, environmental health and biosecurity, community safety and amenity, and the enforcement of Council’s Local Laws. To support their work, the team has commenced specialist training under the Local Government Act 2009 (Qld) and Council’s Local Laws.
This training provides officers with a clear understanding of their legal powers and responsibilities. Some of these include compliance and enforcement under the Local Government Act, procedural fairness and respectful engagement with community, evidence gathering and record keeping, and powers of entry and issuing compliance notices.
Through this training, officers are building both the technical skills and confidence needed to apply legislation consistently and fairly across island communities.
Environmental Health Workers
At the same time, TSIRC’s Environmental Health Workers undertook the Certificate III in Indigenous Environmental Health at the Boland Centre from 11–15 August. The training covered key areas including Workplace Health and Safety, organising personal work priorities and development, and promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety.
During the sessions, staff shared stories, ideas, and different perspectives on both the challenges and positive outcomes within our communities. These discussions fostered a deeper understanding of local issues and generated practical ideas for improving health and wellbeing across the Torres Strait.
This nationally recognised qualification equips Environmental Health Workers with practical skills to deliver programs in waste management and sanitation, safe water and food handling practices, vector control and pest management, and housing and community infrastructure standards.
The training reflects Council’s commitment to professionalising our environmental health workforce and ensuring they have the skills and qualifications needed to meet community health challenges.
Long-term Benefits for Communities
TSIRC’s investment in training delivers long-term benefits to communities by ensuring local laws are applied with cultural awareness, fairness, and consistency, while also protecting community health and wellbeing across the Torres Strait.
Environment and Health Manager, Ewan Gunn, has commended the training program and noted:
“By developing our Authorised Persons and Environmental Health Workers, TSIRC is creating strong community leaders who can safeguard our islands, support our families, and protect our environment for future generations. This approach highlights TSIRC’s commitment to education-first compliance, local workforce development, and the empowerment of Torres Strait Islander people to take the lead in managing local laws, environmental health, and community safety.”
