Under the astute leadership of Director Justin Luke, local mobility equipment provider Equip U combines industry expertise, personalised service and dedication to enhancing lives. Justin’s unwavering commitment to independence and tailored solutions echoes through the very ethos of Equip U. This commitment extends beyond sales; it's about understanding individual requirements.

“I'm an independent small dealer,” Justin said. “My relationships are direct with the suppliers, giving us the advantage to sell what best meets our customers' needs. Plus, we’re able to save people money because we do go direct to the supplier.”

Founded in 2020, Equip U has rapidly expanded over the last few months, driven by a mission to revolutionise accessibility. Justin’s journey traces back to his discovery of a pivotal piece of equipment, the Action Trackchair, igniting his passion for aiding those with mobility challenges. This one particular piece of specialised equipment highlights the broad range of products offered by Equip U, offering everything from the most unique and elaborate aids to hospital beds, recliners, mobility scooters, shower chairs, walkers, wheelchairs and hoists.

Growing up in the Burdekin, Justin worked as a police officer for 17 years before entering the allied health sector, expanding his expertise and portfolio of businesses and organisational roles across north Queensland. He said in his role in the police, he liked to stand for what was right, fair and just.

“I think in the disability and mobility fields, it’s very similar in the sense that I believe people should have the same access to what able bodied people have,” he said.

Equip U’s tagline, ‘We come to you,’ epitomises the business’s commitment to accessibility, ensuring aid reaches those who need it, wherever they may be. Justin’s team will travel across the country to wherever they are needed, ensuring everyone has access to the equipment that is going to improve their mobility.

But Equip U isn't just about products; it's about empowerment. Justin passionately advocates for funding accessibility, ensuring every individual knows their entitlements, contributing to the goal of keeping people in their homes longer and enhancing their quality of life.

Equip U serves the community as an embodiment of compassion and a driving force behind inclusivity and independence. With their unwavering commitment and personalised service, they've proven that when empathy meets expertise, lives are transformed.

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Equip U Director Justin Luke

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On Friday November 17, the 2023 Ayr State High School Year 12 graduates entered through the school gate for the last time.  After a beautiful graduation event on Thursday night at the Burdekin Memorial Hall, students were given a final school parade in their honour on Friday followed by a family barbecue.

The parade capped off a busy last week for our students which saw them participate in a range of activities including a fun afternoon at the Ayr Aquatic Centre, guest speaker sessions with community representatives and the long-held tradition of a Christmas morning tea with the residents of Regis Aged Care.

The staff of Ayr High wish all the students the very best in their future endeavours.

Contributed by Ayr State High School

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Ayr State High School’s graduating class of 2023. Photo supplied

On Thursday November 23, the Year 6 students from St Colman’s Catholic School held their Graduation Mass and Dinner. The students marked this special occasion with a mass with their family, friends and school staff. Each child’s achievements were celebrated during this event. It is a time of mixed feeling, a tinge of sadness and loads of happiness as we farewell our Year 6 students and send them off to high school. As we celebrated the achievements of our current year 6 students, we also reflected on their time spent at Primary School for the last seven years. It was wonderful to see how far they have come over their primary school journey.

The students and families then shared a meal at the school which was beautifully decorated by the Year 6 graduation committee. Year 5 parents helped with the serving of the meal and made this occasion a highlight of the year.

St Colman’s School encouraged each student to go out into the community and “Let their light shine.”

Contributed by St Colman's Catholic School

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Congratulations to the graduating class of 2023:

Charlotte Alexander

Benjamin Bapty

Baylin Cruise-McCloughan

Makenzie Dale

Cooper Detenon

Matilda Forbes

Eden Godfrey

Sam Heatley

Indy Jacob

Mikaela Kenyon

Lily Lowis

Dixie Love

Xavier Martin

Isaac  Apelt

Fletcher Sgroi

William Stanton-Cook

Miley Totorica

Noah Totorica

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National Agriculture Day In Home Hill

Home Hill State High School celebrated National Agriculture Day on Friday, November 17.

Each year, the school comes together to recognise the significant role farming plays in shaping Australia.

Staff and students were invited to dress in green with this year’s National Agriculture Day celebrating all things agriculture, from what we grow to the people across the supply chain and more.

‘Grow you good thing!’ was the catch cry for day, thanking Australian farmers for the food and fibre they grow for the country.

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Photos supplied: Home Hill State High School

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The women of the Burdekin will have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills thanks to the Influential Women - Community Leadership Forum to be held in Ayr in 2024.

The ‘Influential Women’ Community Leadership Forum, the result of a partnership between the TNQ Drought Hub and BlueWren Connections, will be its second iteration following a successful debut held in Mount Surprise earlier in the year.

“The idea is to bring together women who are either working in the agriculture sector or supporting the agriculture sector to have the opportunity to grow their leadership capability for the future and also bring together strong ties within their community networks,” said Dr Jane Oorschot, Program Lead – Building Human Capacity at Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.

“The program is basically bringing together aspects of leadership and targets people who wouldn’t reach out to do formal leadership training.

“We’re trying to take this to the community level but still offer the same learning experience.”

With a rural focus, the forum will invite participants to reflect on oneself, analyse their personality types and focus on how they work within a team throughout a practical, active, challenging and fun three-day program.

“A lot of leadership is about exploring and understanding yourself and then being brave enough to share with others and learn from that,” Dr Oorschot said.

“In my experience with leadership, the heart of it is self-awareness, so they will have a much-heightened self-awareness and ultimately we’re hoping for them to have greater confidence and self-knowledge to work effectively with others within their community.”

The program will be facilitated by community leader, social worker and changemaker Heather Ellis of Bluewren Connections who specialises in organisational capacity building, strategic planning program design, training, group facilitation and research projects.

“Heather’s platform helps to create a safe and empowering environment for women to share their stories, their values and their goals for the future,” Dr Oorschot said.

The Influential Women - Community Leadership Forum will be held at the Burdekin Theatre, Ayr from Tuesday, March 19 to Thursday, March 21, 2024.

Registration is now open and limited to 20 participants.

Visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/influential-women-community-leadership-forum-tickets-721806481617 to find out more.

Outcomes

• Improved knowledge of self and others

• Improved ability to influence positive change in self, family, community, business and industry

• Improved ability to work effectively with others

• Greater confidence and courage for informed decision making, balancing the role of a leader, and stepping into leading roles in the future

WHAT: Influential Women - Community Leadership Forum

WHEN: March 19-21, 2024

WHERE: Burdekin Theatre, Ayr

TICKETS: $175 available from Eventbrite

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The first Influential Women's Forum was held in Mount Surprise in April. Photo credit: Emily Harrington

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox is concerned that the government-backed renewables plan that is being rolled-out across Australia will have damaging consequences in Dawson, continuing to drive up the cost-of-living for the community.

Mr Willcox stated that Energy Minister Chris Bowen has implemented a panicked market intervention to achieve 82 per cent renewables by 2030 target by expanding the Capacity Investment Scheme. He believes this will come at great cost to taxpayers in Dawson, destroying agricultural land, driving up food prices and tearing down our food security.

“Labor has to rip up farming land to achieve their irresponsible target but when supply goes down, prices go up. Hurting our food production capability by removing agricultural land means families in Dawson will pay even more for their food,” Mr Willcox said.

“Labor must tell taxpayers, communities and struggling families in Dawson, how many hectares of productive agricultural land and native vegetation, the very thing renewables were apparently meant to protect, will be impacted by its reckless race?

“Questions have to be asked, where is the Greens on protecting the environment on this and the Australian Conservation Foundation, who have been intimidating farmers that legally manage vegetation on their farms?” Mr Willcox stated.

“I fear federal Labor and the now all Labor states will abandon proper environmental approvals because Chris Bowen doesn’t want to miss their target.

“Labor must guarantee tough approvals processes and that there won’t be shortcuts for these projects.

“On top of wind turbines and solar panels, 28,000 kilometres of transmission lines at a minimum cost of $80 billion will also tear through regional communities.

“The Nationals believe this demonstrates why we should also have the conversation about nuclear and let the market decide about energy options, rather than taxpayers having to do all the heavy lifting.

“Labor has the wrong priorities for our nation. If you overburden farmers and reduce productive farmland, then you directly increase the price of fresh food at the checkout for families in Dawson,” he said.

Since Labor has been in office, food has increased by 8.2 per cent, gas by 28 per cent and electricity by 18 per cent.

Opinion piece.

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An emergency kit is necessary during disaster season and it is vital that we all get prepared.

Fires, flooding or cyclones could force you out of your home, or keep you stuck there for an extended period of time.

Your kit should include these basics, but you can think about what items your family might use if you had to stay at home for up to three days.

• Food items include bottled water and non-perishable canned food (And don’t forget a can opener!)

• Non-powered items such as a torch, portable phone charger and cable and portable radio are important if there is a power outage, as well as spare batteries.

A portable radio is vital to listen in to emergency broadcasting.

• Important documents could include emergency contact numbers, passports and insurance documents.

• A first aid kit and medications are vital in an emergency, you can also pack hygiene supplies such as a toothbrush, soap and toilet paper.

• If you have a pet, don’t forget! They need their own supplies too, such as food and water, bowls, a leash and a lightweight crate for transportation.

• Disasters can be scary, but they can sometimes be boring too. Pack a few entertaining items such as a good book, playing cards or board games.

Water supplies could stop working. You can’t get to the shops or maybe you can, but the shelves are bare when you get there. Avoid being ill-prepared by stocking up on essentials before a disaster strikes.

You can also include more items, particularly if you live in a remote area. Think about your situation and pack a kit that is right for you.

Keep your kit in a strong waterproof storage container and store it in a safe place in your home that you can get to easily in the event of an emergency.

You can find more information about household emergency kits at getready.qld.gov.au/check-out-what-you-need

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Discover why it is vital to pay attention to external home maintenance in the lead-up to storm season with this helpful checklist.

To start with, check on the status of your insurance policy, whether it is up-to-date and what it covers. If your policy doesn’t adequately cover your home, contents and car, you could be liable to pay out-of-pocket for damages.

On top of that, if your gutters and downpipes haven’t been regularly maintained, you could be unknowingly voiding your home insurance.

A good clean out of your gutters and downpipes is pretty much a non-negotiable part of storm preparation. If your gutters are full of debris, water can’t drain away from your residence.

This can cause a host of problems, such as water flowing into wall cavities and roofs, leading to serious complications like electrical short circuits and power outages.

If you have storm water sumps or drains around your home, it is critical to make sure these are cleaned out to ensure that they can drain water effectively.

Trim tree branches and remove any weak or dead branches from trees around your property, as they can fall onto your home or become airborne during strong winds.

It is important to check the condition of your roof. Look out for loose tiles, eaves or screws that need repairing.

Once these problems are resolved, there will be a limit on the amount of damages that can potentially occur during rough winds or intense storms.

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In the face of Australia's unpredictable weather patterns and the ever-present threat of natural disasters such as bushfires, floods, storms, cyclones, extreme heat, and severe weather, staying informed is crucial. Recognizing the need for a unified and streamlined approach to emergency information, the Australian Government has introduced the Australian Warning System (AWS), aimed at providing consistent and clear alerts during potential or active emergency situations.

The AWS marks a significant shift in the way emergency incidents are communicated, ensuring that Australians have access to standardized information and warnings across all natural disasters. This initiative is particularly valuable, as it empowers individuals and communities to understand and respond to hazards effectively.

One of the key advantages of the AWS is the introduction of three standardized warning levels, each accompanied by distinct colors and icons to convey the urgency of the situation. The first level is "Advice" (yellow), indicating that an incident has commenced, but there is no immediate danger. Individuals are advised to stay informed, as the situation may evolve. The second level is "Watch and Act" (orange), signifying a heightened level of threat where conditions are changing, prompting the need for proactive measures. The third and most critical level is "Emergency Warning" (red), alerting that immediate action is required as there is a significant risk to life. Any delay at this stage could prove fatal.

Understanding the symbols and colors associated with each warning level is crucial for swift and accurate response during an emergency. Icons accompanying each warning provide a quick visual reference for the type of hazard involved, while the color and level convey the severity of the situation. This standardized approach ensures that individuals can easily interpret the urgency of a warning, regardless of the specific nature of the hazard.

For comprehensive information and resources related to the Australian Warning System, individuals are encouraged to visit www.qfes.qld.gov.au/aws. This online platform serves as a valuable resource, offering insights into the AWS, detailing the meaning of each warning level, and providing guidance on the appropriate actions to take in response to each alert.

The AWS not only enhances public awareness but also plays a crucial role in promoting a culture of preparedness and resilience. By ensuring that Australians are well-versed in the AWS and its warning levels, the government aims to minimize the impact of emergencies and facilitate swift and effective responses from individuals and communities alike.

The Australian Warning System emerges as a vital tool for keeping citizens informed and safe. With its standardized approach and user-friendly design, the AWS empowers individuals to navigate emergency situations with confidence, knowing what actions to take based on the severity of the warning. Stay informed, stay safe – make the Australian Warning System your ally in times of crisis.

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A much-loved kindergarten educator is retiring after an almost 30-year career with Ayr Community Kindergarten.

Sandra Maynard has nurtured countless Burdekin children since the kindergarten’s establishment in 1994, with some of those even bringing their children back to the kindergarten years later.

C&K Ayr Community Kindergarten Educator Sandra Maynard lives by a saying: “Each child is an individual and is a wonderful part of a mosaic. It would be very boring if that mosaic was all one colour.”

These are words she strives to implement every day she walks through the doors of the kindergarten.

Sandra became involved in the kindergarten community when her daughter attended C&K Home Hill Community Kindergarten in the early 1990s.

She became a part of a committee who worked to establish a kindergarten in Ayr, ultimately opening in 1994.

“It was a group of really great community minded people who established this kindy here,” she said.

“I was always an involved parent and I saw how wonderful kindergarten was for the development of my own children.”

Sandra volunteered at the new kindergarten while her children attended and was asked to return some years later, her natural gift for childcare an asset to the organisation.

She’s been involved on and off ever since, whether it be in an educator, special needs assistance, committee or fundraising capacity.

Sandra said the “times have changed” over the years but she welcomes a return to the loose approach of play and bush kindy.

“You can see how much it develops children just by being out in nature,” she said.

“Everything little thing they do, they’re socialising, they’re learning teamwork and resilience, it’s all very important and it all happens in this little 0 to 5 age bracket.

“If they can leave here as confident, resilient and kind children, it’s a good start for them.”

The kindergarten hosted a morning tea last Saturday, November 18, an opportunity for current and past parents and students to say farewell before Sandra finishes work on December 7.

She plans to spend more time with family and pursue her many interests, although she will continue to volunteer in the community and at the kindergarten when she can.

“Sandra’s been a huge part of the kindy,” said Acting Director Tracey Town.

“She just has such a natural ability with the children.

“It’s her gentle and kind nature and approach, her ability to empathise with the children and families.”

Tracey said Sandra’s presence will be missed in the kindergarten.

“She’s always there when you need her,” she said.

“She brightens up the day and has that ability to make everybody comfortable, relaxed and welcome.

“She’s a really genuine person with a huge heart so she will be sorely missed.”

Sandra has been mentoring two new Assistant Educators, Madelyn and Melissa, and Tracey takes comfort from the fact that a little bit of Sandra will remain through them.

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Ayr Community Kindergarten Assistant Educator Madelyn Cornford, Acting Director Tracey Town and retiring Educator Sandra Maynard. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

A morning tea was held on the weekend to give current and past parents and students an opportunity to say farewell to Sandra. Photos supplied

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As a cricket fan, I hadn’t had the opportunity to watch nearly as much of the World Cup as I would’ve liked, so when Australia made the final of the tournament in India, I knew I had to make an effort to watch it.

I wouldn’t say staying up until 2:00am Monday morning was much of a choice; as Australia started their run chase and Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne closed in on the target, I simply couldn’t turn it off.

Defeating India in India is no small feat and I’ll admit I wasn’t confident, but listening to Australia bowl on the radio as I drove home from Townsville on Sunday night and watching the rest after I got home, it was clear that Australian Captain Pat Cummins had a plan and was implementing it perfectly.

From what I’ve seen, every player played their role throughout the tournament, and as Glen Maxwell hit the winning runs and the team stormed the field in elation, I was filled with a pride for this Australian team that has waned over the years.

My love of cricket is peaking just in time for an exciting Australian summer of cricket, a time of year I look forward to every year.

It’s also got me very keen to get back out on Barry Richards Field this Saturday after missing the last few weeks.

Make sure to check out our sport section at the back of the paper this week; from BMX and motorbike racing to boxing and bowls, our local athletes are celebrating some wonderful achievements.

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A local fishing group is spreading their love of the outdoors by donating equipment to local schools, charities and organisations.

Burdekin Blokes & Boats was started as a Facebook group by Ben Hovell, Stephen Gort and Brandii Talbot to provide a way for local fishing fanatics to come together and meet other likeminded people while getting to explore the Burdekin region's beautiful waterways and reefs.

The group held an inaugural event in July 2023 and host a meet and greet on the first Saturday of every month with pool and darts competitions along with fishing raffles and meet trays to be won.

Burdekin Blokes & Boats said portions of the proceeds from each meet are channelled into supplying donations of fishing equipment to local schools, charities and organisations to encourage more locals, especially youth, to head out and enjoy fishing in the region’s spectacular waterways.

So far, the group has donated to Home Hill State High School, The Prawn Stop Home Hill Harvest Festival Raffle, Burdekin Special School and Brandon State School.

“The donation to The Burdekin School was particularly close to our heart as we have children living with autism, one of which attends the school and we have personally experienced their brilliant work with children in the region,” the group said.

“It will always be our hope that we can not only bring locals together to enjoy our fishing community but also that we will continue to grow and to support our local Burdekin organisations and business.”

Find Burdekin Blokes & Boats on Facebook for more information.

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Burdekin Blokes & Boats have donated fishing equipment to charities and organisations throughout the region. Photo supplied: Brandon State School

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Thousands of dollars’ worth of mangoes have reportedly been stripped from their trees on a property near Home Hill.

The Groper Creek Road property, which houses mango trees and cane fields, has been leased by Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation since December 2022 and the group were planning to use profits from the mangoes to maintain and upgrade the farm.

Bindal Traditional Owner and Gudjuda Reference Group Ranger Eddie Smallwood believes the theft  would have occurred within the last three weeks.

“It’s just a kick in the guts because we were utilising these resources to pay rates and upgrade the farm,” he said.

“People have to realise that if you see mango trees, you can’t just go and strip them.

“You’ve got to find out who owns them because people rely on mangoes; it only happens once a year in November and December.

“It if was a misunderstanding, that’s fine, we can have a yarn about it, but we were utilising that crop to help put the resources back into the land.”

The organisation hopes to develop the 24-acre property into a working mango and cane farm and training facility with plans to build accommodation, an event space and nursery, with the alleged theft potentially delaying these plans.

“We’re trying to utilise it as a big hub,” Mr Smallwood said.

“We’re going to turn it into a nursery where we’ll have native plants, bush tucker, native seedlings and grasses.

“That’s one of the opportunities we’ve got here to get training for our younger people and people who are willing to look at the cane industry.

“It’d be good to get people skilled up as the cane farmers are looking for workers all the time.

“It’s only early days yet, we’ve got to seek funding to get it up to scratch, but we were relying on this first lot of crop from the mango trees to help pay for the rates and other expenses on the property.”

Police have been informed of the incident and Mr Smallwood plans to install cameras on the property in the near future.

He is calling for anyone who may have information to get in touch.

“We’re right next to a loading dock where haul out drivers would’ve been coming in and out, so they might have seen someone here,” he said.

“If they have, it would be good if they could contact me or contact the Home Hill Police Station.

“I also want other mango farmers to be wary of thieves.”

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Bindal Traditional Owner and Gudjuda Reference Group Ranger Eddie Smallwood

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Ergon Energy Urges Caution

Ergon Energy Burdekin is calling for farmers to be cautious when completing hazard reduction burns or with cane fires.

The Burdekin team of Ergon Energy were called to a burnt power pole, following a cane fire earlier this week.

Power was quickly restored to the affected areas, after the fire was controlled, and Ergon Energy crews were able to access the site.

Ergon Energy Work Group Leader Lawrence Hitchcock explained that controlled burns could pose a threat if the fires get too close to power poles and other electrical assets.

“More than a dozen power poles were brought down by landowner’s burns getting out of control last year bringing down poles, powerlines and cutting supply to entire communities in some cases," Mr Hitchcock said.

“In addition to the inconvenience of widespread power disruptions, fallen powerlines can cause serious injury or even death to people and livestock that come into contact with it.

“Just as troubling is a power pole that’s only partially burnt because it will be significantly weakened and potentially snap during high winds or storm activity without warning.

"So, we’re asking any landowners who are about to burn to ensure vegetation is cleared within a five metre radius of the base of a pole."

Rural Fire Service A/Assistant Commissioner Peter Hollier said taking precautions before and during hazard reduction burns could significantly minimise the risk of damaging property and electricity infrastructure.

“It is imperative landholders are well aware of their surroundings and remain vigilant to ensure they, their families and properties are safe while conducting any bushfire mitigation work,” Mr Hollier said.

“To minimise the chances of fire damaging power poles and property, I would encourage property owners to trim or clear any long grass, foliage and rubbish around their electricity infrastructure and remain with any planned burns they carry out.”

To report a network fault, contact Ergon Energy on 13 16 70. In the case of a life-threatening emergency, contact 000.

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Burdekin Ergon Energy teams completing urgent power works following a cane fire burning down a power pole. Photo supplied

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A secret audit of Queensland’s roads has revealed almost half of Queensland’s Bruce Highway has a two-star safety rating or less.

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, said he is disappointed but not surprised the electorate of Dawson had the lowest overall star rating, with 63.4 per cent rated two stars or lower, and roads throughout the Burdekin rated between one and three stars.

Further south, Mr Willcox said much needed infrastructure projects like the Mackay Ring Road Stage 2 and the Goorganga Plains Flood Immunity project have been delayed by the Australian Government’s 90-day review.

“The previous Coalition Government committed $10 billion towards much needed safety upgrades on the Bruce, and instead of the new government grabbing the horse by the reins and just getting on with it, they have held these projects up further in a 90-day review which has blown out to over 200 days,” he said.

“This is unacceptable to have these projects with committed funding just sitting dormant.

“Earlier this year during our wet season and following flooding, QLD Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey visited Mackay to inspect flood damage and announced alongside State Member for Mackay that ‘it’s good to see that our roads have held up as well as they have’.

“It was extremely disappointing to hear this from the State Local Member and her Minister when I had constituents contacting my office with safety concerns and pothole complaints.

“Our state representatives know Dawson’s economic contributions and they should have us travelling on gold plated roads, but instead we have the worst roads in the state.”

Mr Willcox said he is pleased that no projects in Dawson will be scrapped following the review.

“Now that we are over this ridiculous and unnecessary review, I am calling for no more delays,” he said.

“Both the Albanese and Palaszczuk governments need to stop dragging the chain, stop playing the blame game, stop arguing, and just get on with your jobs.”

The Queensland Government conducted the audit following a right to information search by Nationals Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien revealing road safety data provided to state governments by the Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP).

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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox

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