One year ago: 

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce visited Mount Isa as part of the federal election campaign. Mr Joyce and Northern Australian Senator Matthew Canavan promised $5 million in funding to improve city intersections of the Barkly Highway. 

Mount Isa mayor Joyce McCulloch said it was “certainly time” that both major parties acknowledged the importance of delivering infrastructure to the region. 

“The commitment was a positive step forward, but promises must be kept following the election if we are serious about developing the massive potential in North Queensland’s agriculture, freight and tourism industries,” Cr McCulloch said. 

MEANWHILE, another $42.6 million was promised by the Coalition to upgrade the Hann Highway if they were re-elected on July 2. Two sections of the highway would be widened, strengthened and sealed. 

LNP candidate Jonathan Pavetto, who had lost to Bob Katter in the election, said “there is a clear and strong economic case for this development.” 

Five years ago: 

Mount Isa woman Deborah Mailman was labelled a ‘Queensland Great’ in a ceremony led by Qld Premier Campbell Newman. 

The proud Bidjara woman has achieved much in film, television and theatre, but she has also dedicated time to Indigenous literacy awareness. One of her projects included the play ‘The Seven Stages of Grieving’ which had been workshopped and performed with school students across Australia for 15 years. 

MEDIAN house prices in Mount Isa had risen and it was among only four regional Queensland areas where this had happened from the year ending in March, 2012. 

“It’s the perfect climate now to sell but the rental market is driving the increase, said Vid Realty principal Leesa Fanti. 

10 years ago: 

THE North West Region raised $60,500 for the World’s Greatest Shave, reporter Alison Mooney wrote. 

Leukaemia Quest Mount Isa branch coordinator Kathy Swift said more than 37 businesses, stations and locals entered Shave for a Cure in 2007. 

”People seem to have such a great time doing it. There was a traffic jam in Woolies the day of the head shave, it was unbelievable,” Ms Swift said. 

THE Chamber of Commerce head Dave Glasson congratulated new shop owners for setting up in the central business district rather than in the Kmart Plaza. 

He said the trend in recent years was for stores to open in Camooweal, Miles and West Streets instead of in the shopping centre. Mr Glasson approved, according to the report by Lyndsay Jameson. 

He had criticised the cleanliness of the plaza and said that he had heard new rent arrangements in the plaza were impacting small business owners. 

20 years ago: 

BLOOD lead levels in Mount Isa will be more closely monitored following the creation of a joint government and council program. 

Deputy mayor and Mount Isa Community Environmental Health Committee chairwoman Fay Donovan said people had no reason to be concerned. 

“According to the latest reports, blood lead levels in children in Mount Isa are falling and are now in par with the rest of Australia. 

“I hope that continues and we end up better than the rest of Australia.” 

Funding came from the Queensland Government and from Mount Isa Mines, which provided more than $20,000, which would be used towards the monitoring program. 

MEANWHILE, former Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Peterson and his wife, Lady Florence, visited Mount Isa while on their way to open the Cloncurry Bush Festival. 

They visited the RFDS base and he said he admired the work that it did in the region. 

It was Sir Bjelke-Peterson’s first visit to the North West in more than a decade. 

30 years ago: 

The Top Half Folk Festival ran with the successful theme of ‘Our World of Dance.’ 

Entertainment was helped organised by the Concordia, Finnish, Irish and Filipino communities. 

Mornington Island Dancers performed at Warrina Park to a crowd of 2000 people on the Sunday. 

Visiting New Zealand musician Phil Garland found the variety to be tremendous. “In the past folk festivals have tended only to recognise the English speaking countries.” 

THE Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce criticised council by-laws which did not support business development, and asked that the council wait two years before enforcing them.

 The article did not refer specifically as to which by-laws, but these could be read between the lines from acting mayor Bob Moore’s response.

Alderman Moore – acting in mayor Tony McGrady’s stead – discussed charges to city car parking and the halt of the abattoir. 

Ald Moore acknowledged a charge had been enforced on car parking but that the money generated would go into a trust account, which would then be used to improve the city’s parking facilities. 

The acting mayor also referred to the abattoir. 

“There were many complaints with regards to noxious odors and other hazards associated with meat processing. 

“Council is fully aware that at present meat is being delivered into Mount Isa from Brisbane and this to us is ludicrous.”