By MICHELLE BURTON
“A lot of the bus companies are now afraid of travelling out on Amosfield Road in their $500,000 coaches to visit the farm.”
– Peter Bonner, Aloomba Lavender.
RESIDENTS have launched a petition to bring attention to the state of disrepair to Amosfield Road which links Liston and Stanthorpe.
The issue was raised at a recent meeting at Liston Hall attended by Barnaby Joyce and Thomas George.
The road between Amosfield and the Queensland/New South Wales border has not been upgraded for more than two decades.
Locals are calling for urgent action to bring it in line with the same condition as the road from the Queensland border into the Stanthorpe township.
Over the past 20 years the population of the Liston area has dramatically increased and people affected by this road is not limited to the residents.
This road is the only link for Liston residents to access essential services – such as the hospital and medical practitioners, groceries, banks and community involvement.
Other road users include professional services and tradesmen who travel on the road to properties ’over the border’ – including plumbers, builders, electricians, gas distributors.
Liston is a large cattle grazing area where producers transport and deliver cattle to markets in Stanthorpe and further afield, on an almost daily basis.
Large vehicles are impacting on the road’s conditions but drivers have no choice as they travel the road as part of their business operations, such as Aloomba Bulk Haulage.
The Liston population are very supportive, active and associated with a wide range of community and services groups and clubs and attend meetings and functions on a regular basis.
Part owner of Crisp Coaches Dale Crisp commented that “the maintenance is one third higher for the bus that travels out to Liston for the school run compared to other services”.
Earlier this year an incident involving the school bus was contributed, in part, to the condition of the road.
Tourism from the Granite Beltentices visitors via Tourist Route No. 7 to travel to Aloomba Lavender, Bald Rock National Park, Boonoo Boonoo National Park and the historical areas near Tenterfield.
The tourist loop No. 7 from Stanthorpe to Tenterfield via Amosfield Road and Mt Lindesay Road and back to Stanthorpe via The New England Highway is highly promoted to encourage visitors to travel this area.
Peter Bonner of Aloomba Lavender said the condition of the road was detrimental to the region’s tourism.
“A lot of the bus companies are now afraid of travelling out on Amosfield Road in their $500,000 coaches to visit the farm,” he said.
Representatives of the Tenterfield Shire Council attended the meeting including Mayor Peter Petty and Cr Gary Verri.
Cr Petty commented that there would definitely be allocations of funds for Amosfield Road in the next financial year 2014/15 budget.
Business owners and operators who rely on the patronage of Liston residents, are urged to support the petition to upgrade Amosfield Road.
The petition will be on the counter of Stanthorpe Rural in Folkstone Street for the next couple of weeks before it will forward to Barnaby Joyce, Thomas George and Mayor Peter Petty for their attention and action.
