'Deplorable' regional roads an an eye-opener for city MP

Shadow Transport Minister Steve Minikkin toured the Maranoa this week, and was unimpressed with the poor condition of our roads.

WORKS NEEDED: Shadow Transport Minister Steve Minnikin, Warrego MP Ann Leahy and resident Lynda Hyland at the Jackson-Wandoan Rd/Warrego Highway intersection. Picture: Contributed

"DEPLORABLE” was the word of choice for Shadow Transport Minister Steve Minikkin when he inspected roads throughout the Maranoa.

The city MP spent two days travelling the region in a Kia hatchback with Warrego MP Ann Leahy, who took him on an eye-opening tour of our most used yet severely neglected highways.

The pair also stopped in Yuleba, where the local progress association has spent years trying to get the highway speed limit reduced.

"Some of the roads I have seen this week are absolutely deplorable,” MrMinikkin said.

"No matter where you go, the road conditions are not only poor but they are getting worse.”

The roads throughout Jackson, the Condamine Highway and Dunkeld were also inspected.

Ms Leahy has been on a quest to fix our roads, with Yuleba and Jackson high on the priority list.

"There was a small study for Jackson-Wandoan in the budget but we don't want more studies, we want to actually see tar on the road,” she said. "I'm also really disappointed that the government is still ignoring the Yuleba community - we know the highway S-bend in Yuleba is a place where you lose lives.”

Locals consider both spots an accident waiting to happen, particularly in Jackson, where residents find themselves having to stop in the middle of a 110km/h zone while trying to get home. "If there are trucks coming along behind you, there is nowhere for them to go around, nothing on the highway to exit to Wandoan or to turn right across the highway into the town of Jackson,” resident Lynda Hyland said.

"When there is something coming towards you or coming up behind you, it can be dangerous and near- misses do happen. If there was a slip lane, that would possibly prevent an accident and at lesser expense.”

Where do you think there are problems roads in the Maranoa? Let us know at ediorial@ westernstarnews.com.au