Queensland Liberal Senator, Russell Trood, met with locals in south west Queensland last week, and they are not happy about being the State’s forgotten corner as far as the Bligh Government is concerned.

Senator Trood’s tour of the outback included visits to resource, health and tourism facilities, inspection of cattle stations and a series of community meetings.

It was jointly organised by Barcoo Mayor, Bruce Scott and Diamantina Mayor, Robbie Dare.

“Local government is doing a great job in managing the resources, economic, social and environmental challenges of the region, but there was a common theme of frustration with regard to the Bligh Government’s mismanagement of health and road services,” Senator Trood said.

The tour covered towns including Stonehenge, Jundah, Windorah and Birdsville.

“These remote communities provide a significant part of the State’s economic wealth with pastoral, energy and tourism services,” Senator Trood said.

“They deserve to be provided with proper infrastructure such as good roads, housing and health services.”

“Locals are so frustrated with the lack of basic infrastructure in the bush that they have lost all confidence in the Bligh Government, some people even suggested that we do away with the State level of government altogether,” Senator Trood said.

“It is a failing system and I urge the State Government to pay closer attention to the security needs of region,” Senator Trood said.

Senator Trood experienced first hand the road conditions when he travelled the 280km stretch of gravel road between Windorah and Birdsville.

“An all weather bitumen road between these towns would vastly improve the south west corner’s road network, providing a much needed boost to the local economy,” Senator Trood said.

“These regions are suffering from the same under-funding and mismanagement of resources that has become apparent across the whole of Queensland, at the hands of the State Government,” Senator Trood said.