Exercise Torres to test pollution response time

A two-day desktop exercise to develop heightened pollution protection measures for Torres Strait will conclude in Cairns today.

The planning prepares authorities for a real-time oil spill, and comes in the lead up to Exercise Torres 2018 pollution scenario to be staged later this year. 

Attendees from the Torres Strait will join 120 people representing federal, state and local government, industry and maritime authorities and agencies. 

Acting Transport and Main Roads Minister Mick de Brenni said the exercise would test how well prepared the state was to respond quickly to a pollution incident near remote island communities in environmentally sensitive areas. 

“The Torres Strait includes more than 270 islands, with 17 having permanent settlements and a total population of about 7000 people,” Mr de Brenni said. 

“Torres Strait is ecologically significant with extensive sea grass and breeding populations of dugongs and turtles as well as commercial prawn and lobster fisheries. 

“It is also integral to international shipping, providing a vital transport route that supports trade between Australia and Asia. 

“This exercise will explore the consequences of a ship-sourced pollution incident and how well prepared we are to respond to this emergency.” 

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said Torres Strait communities were already resilient but would benefit from working more closely with disaster management groups. 

“The Torres Strait Islanders’ culture has a strong connection to sea and Torres Islanders have traditionally relied on the marine environment and its resources for subsistence, cultural and economic purposes,” Ms Lui said. 

“The International Maritime Organization has declared the Torres Strait as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area, recognising the unique and complex marine ecosystem and its vulnerability to damage by international shipping activities. 

“There are already protections in place to keep the risk of a ship-sourced oil spill as low as possible but the Torres Strait must be supported by appropriate protective measures to prevent, reduce or eliminate the risk of marine pollution.” 

The two-day exercise in Cairns involved about 120 people representing federal, state and local government, industry and the TI community. 

Discussions focused on prevention and preparedness, response actions, transboundary movement, stakeholder engagement, communication and recovery. 

Evaluators will now produce a report listing lessons learned and identifying opportunities for improvements. 

The outcomes will be further tested in the real-time oil-spill scenario to be carried out later this year. 

ENDS

Media contact: Dominic Geiger, 0447355565