This historic outcome was achieved on Thursday Island following a forum on November 6-7, involving the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Board, and Councillors and Mayors of the Torres Shire Council (TSC), the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC), and the Torres Strait Islands Regional Council (TSIRC).

The Queensland Government Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (ATSIP) helped to co-ordinate the event.

The region’s leaders have unanimously committed their respective agencies towards a unified vision, "Empowering our people, in our decision, in our culture, for our future" that would shape the destiny for this strategically important part of Australia.

TSRA Chairman Mr Toshie Kris said that agreeing on a vision and goals statement was a huge leap towards establishing a regional partnership and making sure that all levels of government work together to build a strong future for our region.

"It was agreed that the next step towards effective self-government is to prepare an integrated regional plan for Torres Strait and NPA that specified how different levels of government would contribute towards the goal," said Mr Kris.

"We will then negotiate a regional service delivery agreement, based on our regional plan, with all government agencies servicing our communities," Mr Kris said.

Torres Shire Mayor Pedro Stephen said: "We are setting a unified positive direction for our region, particularly in light of current political and global economic challenges."

TSIRC Mayor Fred Gela emphasised that goals developed are based on the outcome of extensive community consultation.

"Our highest priority goal is to enhance the region’s wealth by creating sustainable industries and increasing employment opportunities for our people, equivalent to wider Australian communities," Cr Gela said.

NPARC Mayor Joseph Elu, added "Integrated planning will maximise benefits to the region - we need to do this right so that our children and grandchildren will have a better future."