Residents are urging Queensland's government and federal government to take action as families in Torres Strait (Torres Strait) move higher to avoid rising sea levels.
In (Iama Island), Ima, some families had to move away from badly eroded beaches for fear of being washed away. Local councillor Gertro-Lou (Getano Lui) said it caused overcrowding.
He called on the state government and federal government to immediately allocate $10 million to build seawalls in (Boigu Island) and (Poruma Island) on Boigu Island and to study construction works on Ima, (Masig Island) and (Warraber Island) in Margo Island.
"the other islands are still able to cope," Lou said. "I'm not saying they will get worse in the next few years, but at least for now."
Mr. Lew and other Torres Strait Island local council officials travelled to Canberra last week to lobby Aboriginal Secretary Nigel Scalien (Nigel Scullion), Leichhardt MP Warren Nsky (Warren Enstch), Labour MP and neutral senator.
But he said the problem was played as "political football". Communities fear they will have to move because of rising sea levels, or else they will lose everything.
"I don't care what's going on between the state and the Union, but they have to take action," Lou said.
Scalien said the federal government had allocated 26 million yuan for the Torres Strait seawall and they wanted an audit before further funding.
The state government says it provides 12 million of the money and promises to work with the community to find solutions.