Poruma is one of five island communities to benefit from a $40 million seawall package co-funded by the Australian and Queensland governments. 

Completed in 2024, the seawall was constructed to mitigate coastal inundation and erosion on the low-lying coral cay island community, north of Cairns. 

Torres Strait Regional Authority (TRSA), a NRM Regions Queensland member organisation, worked with all levels of government to deliver the project which strengthens climate resilience in the state’s far north. 

TSRA Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen AM said the much-needed project followed significant community consultation. 

‘Thank you to the people of Poruma for their patience and perseverance over many years during consultation, design, project delivery and now completion,’ Mr Stephen said. 

‘This is a critical climate initiative for our region with sea levels rising at about three times the rate of the global average in the Torres Strait.’ 

As well as protecting homes, vital infrastructure and livelihoods, the seawall will also help safeguard coastal and marine ecosystems. 

This initiative is part of a $40 million Stage 2 program of coastal protection works across five islands (Boigu Island, Poruma Island, Iama Island, Masig Island and Warraber Island). 

The Poruma Seawall Project includes more than 5600 geotextile sandbags weighing up to two tonnes each, filled with local sand extracted from Poruma beach. 

The large geotextile sandbags offer a durable, cost effective, and ecologically sustainable long-term solution for shoreline protection projects and erosion control. The geobag design can also be maintained over the long term by the regional workforce, who have been trained in installation and upkeep. 

Official opening ceremony of the Poruma Island seawall. Credit: Kevin Levi.