The only general store in McKinlay is rumored to be closing its doors soon.

The small shop attached to United Petroleum will shut when the station moves to an automated system. 

McKinlay Mayor Belinda Murphy said this will have devastating repercussions for the small outback community.  

“United is going automated  and that would be a big loss for the town,” Cr Murphy said. 

“There is the pub, but United is the only little shop with takeaway food and drinks and toiletries. 

“The Australia Post mail run goes there and gets distributed from there as well,” she said. 

“It is a serious loss for the community and travelling public.”

Traeger MP Robbie Katter said he has been in discussions with United Petroleum and the local community from the outset.

“McKinlay is a small community with the next closest store about an hour and half away,” Mr Katter said. 

“United Petroleum have told me they are very open to someone else taking over the operation and management of this shop.

“As a result I have spoken with the McKinlay community to investigate if any scope exists for this business to run by someone else and there has been some initial interest,” he said. 

Mr Katter said there has been “little support from the Labor Government when it comes to supporting small business in North Queensland”.

“Skyrocketing electricity prices in regional Queensland have made it extremely difficult for businesses to survive or new businesses to emerge,” he said. 

Mr Katter said he believed McKinlay would remain a tourist hub for outback travellers thanks to the famous pub  the Walkabout Creek Hotel.

“While it would be preferable if the shop keeps operating, I don’t believe it would have a large impact on tourism in the area,” Mr Katter said. 

United Petroleum has not returned phone calls from The North West Star.