SOMETHING needs to be done about the unfenced section of the Barkly Highway outside Mount Isa to protect motorists from cattle, said state member for Mount Isa Rob Katter.
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Mr Katter said his office heard complaints of wandering cattle on the national highway, and that drivers were desperate for roadside fencing.
Even after complaints he was shocked to witness three mobs of cattle within 30 kilometres on the road when driving from Burketown one night recently.
Mr Katter said he would discuss the issue with Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson because there was no available funding through the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
A Minister for Transport and Main Roads spokesman said the department installed road safety signage on the Barkly Highway between Cloncurry and Mount Isa that warned of livestock.
The spokesman said there would be more signage on the highway between Mount Isa and Camooweal early next year. “It’s the responsibility of the property owner to ensure appropriate fencing is installed to keep livestock off the road,” the spokesman said.
“Motorists are urged to report stray cattle to local government, TMR or police so safe removal – relocation – can be arranged through property owners.”
But fencing will not stop wandering cattle, according to Mount Isa City Council sources. Mount Isa City Council chairwoman of Camooweal, Cr Anne Seymour, said cattle could easily break through fences.
There were frequently problems in a fenced section of the Barkly Highway where cattle wandered the road.
When cattle died and were left beside the road it drew in other cattle that chewed bones for calcium, Cr Seymour said.
In one section of the Barkly Highway about 60 kilometres from Mount Isa, 30 dead cattle were recently removed.
She said people who drove small cars “seem to play roulette”.
Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady said the council was limited to what it could do but that many council employees were working “behind the scenes” to resolve the issue.
Representatives of councils, Department Main Roads and property owners will meet early in the new year to decide how to prevent fatalities, he said.
Tourists were mostly likely to be involved in accidents.
Council information said the Department of Main Roads was helping farmers with fencing but was reluctant to hand out fines due to financial hardship caused by drought.
