In many respects it is easy to understand what attracts people to secluded rural areas - peace, serenity, 'being one with nature', etc. Without doubt, their ideals can be envied by many of us lesser mortals. However, in many cases, whilst these appear to be the initial desires of such new settlers, the novelty seemingly wears off, rather rapidly in many cases. Services (and furthermore, improvement to services) are expected, demanded and regarded as a 'God given right'. In appreciating the initial aspirations of such people one fails to reconcile their sincerity when such pressures are placed on Councils. Nevertheless, we are all entitled to have a change in direction at some time, one concedes. However, difficulties arise when Councils allocate forward priorities annually and for longer periods. Such intense areas of pressure force Councils to the situation of reviewing priorities, which often is inequitable - 'the squeaky door syndrome', 'he who yells the loudest' attracts attention, etc. Meanwhile, other more established ratepayers who have been patiently awaiting services run the risk of being moved further down the queue. And so it goes, increasing pressures on local authorities for more and more services and local authorities with less and less dollars (in real terms) to go around.

Whilst the area is very broad and can become quite technical in content, the following discussion and report will endeavour to be as simple as possible... To assist in understanding the Island's problems and possible solutions in relation to roads, it will be necessary to transverse some preliminary discussion on roads.

As far back as 1969 Boomi Shire experienced damage to structures and roads by the movement of wheat by road generally with vehicles over-loaded by between 30 and 60%. Following the good wheat harvest of 1978/79 Council again critically appraised the damage to timber bridges, of which it had some 41 on Main and Council roads. In view of an additional $40,000 damage caused to bridges alone, it was decided to seriously review the situation of vehicle overloading generally. Such a review was influenced by the following factors: • A dramatic land use change in the Gwydir Valley as a result of Copeton Dam water distribution and to a lesser extent the MacIntyre-Barwon Valley and resultant increase in grain and cotton production, • The then Grain Elevators Board (GEB) (subsequently the Grain Handling Authority, GHA) as a policy decision, installed 60 tonne weighbridges for wheat and other grain receivals at each of some 12 silos in the area, and • The fact that a two month wheat cartage season had extended to about a 10 month cartage season (of various commodities), coupled with increased livestock numbers at the large Moree Saleyards.