The school has been asked to submit a report to the department giving reasons why it should not be closed and the students bussed to the neighbouring Giru State School.

A problem with this is that the road is cut several times a year due to flooding and parents fear their children could be caught on the wrong side, sometimes for days as would have been the case earlier this year when the road was impassable for almost a week.

The possible closure comes as a shock to residents as there has been in excess of $200,000 spent in the past two years upgrading the school.

Parents have labelled it a serious lack of foresight on behalf of the department as recent subdivisions have seen the creation of 10 new 40ha (100ac) blocks with more due for release next year.

Traditionally a grazing area, in recent years Majors Creek is now an emerging fruit and vegetable growing area.

*Full story in this week’s North Queensland Register, out Thursday.