Alcohol and drugs are being transported to remote Central Australian communities on "bush highways"

AN intricate network of "bush highways'' are being used to transport alcohol and drugs to the remote communities of Central Australia.  

The "bush highway" on the way to Ti Tree

AN intricate network of "bush highways'' are being used to transport alcohol and drugs to the remote communities of Central Australia, says a concerned indigenous mother.

She said the highway that connects Aileron and Ti Tree is particularly bad as locals of Six Mile (Pmara Jutunta) allegedly drink drive back from Aileron Roadhouse and keep drinking outside of the boundaries of the community.

Both Ti Tree town and Six Mile (Pmara Jutunta) have had strict alcohol restrictions for over a decade, put in place in by Aboriginal elders in the 90s.

But the locals of Ti Tree have long used the bush highway - that runs parallel to the Stuart Highway - to travel between Aileron and Six Mile.

``It's bad for our kids,'' the mother said. ``It's not a safe community especially the way I see at Six Mile.

``See too much grog. Too much drinking, too much drugs.''

Red Centre Farm owner John Crayford said the bush highways go right through Central Australia.

``It goes Aileron to Ti Tree, but it goes a lot of other places as well,'' he said.

``You can go all through this country.''

Mr Crayford said they use the bush highway because their cars are unregistered.

``They go along the gas pipeline as well,'' he said.

In May, Ti Tree man Ashley Martin was charged with aggravated assault, possess/carry/use control weapon and armed with an offensive weapon.

The alleged incident occurred at their Ti Tree Station home after a night of drinking in Tennant Creek.

In July, a 58-year-old man was charged with the murder of his 47-year-old man in Ti Tree after an alcohol-fuelled altercation at Caravan Camp.

Ti Tree was rocked by a riot in September, resulting in two cars being set alight and several houses at Ti Tree Station being damaged.

Several people left Ti Tree and went to Willowra, where the riots continued over a series of days.