The Darling Down’s community of Cambooya was ranked number one in Queensland, followed by Pine Rivers (Brisbane), Crow’s Nest, Belyando, Calliope, Jondaryan, Barcaldine, Fitzroy, Blackall and Beaudesert were the top 10 communities.

AgForce vice president John Cotter said the survey’s findings demonstrate that old-fashioned country values create communities that support the well-being of those who choose to live there.

"We may not have bright lights, razzle-dazzle or pots of cash in the bush, but this survey shows that people are happy living in country communities where we have a healthy purposeful lifestyle, a natural environment with clean air, we support each other and we have employment opportunities and productive industries," Mr Cotter said.

The national study ranked 590 local government areas (many in Queensland have since been amalgamated) on the basis of their health, home ownership, employment, earnings, internet access, education, volunteering and crime rates.

Mr Cotter said the quality of life of residents in country areas of the state would only be retained if governments ensure satisfactory spending on road and rail infrastructure and recognise that these communities need their fair share of schools and health systems.

"More of the mineral wealth that comes out of regional areas needs to be spent in those areas," Mr Cotter said.

"We are keen to see the development of larger regional centres such as Dalby, Roma and Emerald that can become well-resourced regional hubs that service smaller towns and maintain liveability in the bush."

* The survey details are available at: http://www.bankwest.com.au/Media_Centre/Media_Releases/Media _Releases_2008/BankWest_Quality_of_Life_Index_2008/index.asp x