This project is certainly a nation building piece of infrastructure and should demonstrate that the North West is alive and still has massive potential.

It is always difficult to recognise all the players in any development but going back a couple of years there were some in the Tennant Creek and Mount Isa communities who recognised the potential for such a pipeline coming through Mount Isa for there was a strong school of thought suggesting that the pipeline should by-pass our areas.

The Mount Isa and Tennant Creek community leaders joined as one and set up an organisation to ensure that the development took place through both centres.

We held regular meetings in both centres and secured the services of Adam Giles the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory who played a major role in supporting the eventual route as did our Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

It was a little sad that at the official ceremony Adam Giles was not mentioned. 

Also the former Deputy Mayor of Mount Isa Brett Peterson was one of the early converts to the project and certainly played an outstanding role in getting the final outcome and his role should be recognised. 

Glen Graham from MITEZ was an early convert to the scheme and was rightfully recognised by his invitation to the ceremony as I was. Sitting in the audience listening to both sides of politics namely the Federal Minister (LNP) and the State Minister (ALP) praise the project and talk in glowing terms about the future of the region took my mind back to the glory days of Mount Isa and gave me a strong belief that with the right leadership Mount Isa can and will regain her position of one of this nation’s most dynamic communities.

Again congratulations to the North West Star for your excellent coverage of such an important event.

Tony McGrady

Mount Isa

I have been aware of the exorbitant prices being charged by airlines in the North West Queensland area for a while and am following the inquiry process with keen interest.

The problem has been around for a number of years and includes most communities of North West Queensland.

As I door knock the Kennedy electorate, particularly the areas of Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Richmond and Hughenden, I have heard heart breaking stories of residents being forced to drive 16 hours round trip to the coast because they could not afford the air fares. This was particularly upsetting when you have children to get to boarding school and back.

People are reasonable and expect some price variation but not four times the cost of Mount Isa to Townsville return compared to Townsville to Brisbane return.

This is an unacceptable situation for our out back towns.

The common theme that I  am hearing from people in Mount Isa and Cloncurry, when speaking to them,  is that they believe the region is carrying the State and Federal Governments with their mining royalties and getting very little in return.

The residents feel that they have been taken for granted and neglected for a very long time. The long standing of the issue is also a clear indicator of the failings of the present Member.

So why do the outback residents in our electorate still suffer?

I believe that the inquiry will lead to results, but it really should have been dealt with long before now.

Frank Beveridge

LNP Candidate for Kennedy