An Outback truck driver has highlighted the lack of roadhouses as one of the major transport industry issues affecting North West Queensland.
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Roger Brown hauls cattle between Darwin, Mount Isa and Townsville, and said more needs to be done to support the industry in North West Queensland.
Mr Brown discussed his disappointment in the lack of roadhouses, bypasses and services with The North West Star on Wednesday November 6.
"It is frustrating and hungry at times having large distances between roadhouses in outback Queensland," Mr Brown said.
"Between Camooweal and Winton (660km), would have to be nearly the longest stretch of road in Queensland without a roadhouse."
Mr Brown said there were plenty of automated fuel stations but they did not provide an opportunity for truckies to sit down and have a cooked meal.
"There are automated fuel stations at Kynuna and McKinlay and a man-operated fuel station in Mount Isa.
"Many truckies are frustrated there isn't anywhere in Mount Isa you can buy a meal and have a shower, the Shell fuel station (near the airport) only sells pies and hasn't had a restaurant in about 15 years, since it was sold," he said.
"Truckies either have to unhitch or catch a taxi into town to get a proper meal and a shower.
"Many are avoiding Mount Isa due to the inconvenience, those travelling west pull up at Camooweal, heading east pull up in Julia Creek and to the south it's Winton."
With Cloncurry Shire Council mayor Greg Campbell supporting a potential roadhouse on the bypass at Cloncurry, Mr Brown agreed something was needed in either Cloncurry or Mount Isa.
"There is a lot of traffic that travels from Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin that funnels through Cloncurry and Mount Isa," Mr Brown said.
"Having a one stop for truck drivers in this area would be ideal."
Mount Isa City Council has proposed a Transport and Logistics Centre, as a key project to improve economic diversity, enhance transport logistics, and to provide agricultural opportunities but it not yet progressed beyond the feasibility study.
Mr Brown also believes that Mount Isa needed a bypass to ensure safety on roads.
"Trucks, cars and pedestrians don't mix. Trucks need to get away from the main centre of town and those traffic lights," he said.
"It's very hard to get it right when you're travelling through there with six decks of cattle. You need room to stop safety, so you don't throw the cattle off their feet. There isn't enough room between some of those lights for you to stop, it is dangerous.
"Something similar to what Cloncurry (bypass) has would be good, it would be a fight with the hills, but there has to be a way around it.
"Councils need to focus more on supporting the trucking industry as most feel unwelcome in towns."
Mr Brown is not the first person to endorse a bypass around Mount Isa, with local resident Barry Byrne also suggesting a bypass would make Mount Isa safer in 2014.
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