For a narrow, 2.5-kilometre stretch along the island's northern shore, colourful houses perch on stilts by the waters of the Torres Strait, or Zenadth Kes, as it's called by the traditional locals.

Driving this case is an of eight Torres Strait Islanders, represented by the Torres Strait land and sea council, Gur A Baradharaw Kod, along with a legal team from ClientEarth and 350.org.