Planning decisions made by state governments in the early 20th century to foster returned soldier settlements after World War I – as well as the development of railway and timber towns that never eventuated – and the cult of “blockies”, are partially behind the tragic loss of two young police officers and a neighbour this week at Wieambilla on Queensland’s Western Downs.
There is no doubt these dirt cheap blocks attract fringe dwellers in every sense of the world.
