With the Australian Long Distance Drivers Association, threatening to blockade transport links in Queensland for two weeks (starting midnight last night), Magnetic Times asked the Managers of the Island's two largest supermarkets how they think their stores may be affected.

Mr Brian Page from the Manetic Island Foodworks at Nelly Bay was reasonably confident that his supplies would remain unaffected.

Mr Page explained that their supplies were mostly brought to Townsville on trains and that the drivers were private operators so it would only be a problem if one of the connection points on or off the rail access points were to have a truck parked across it's gates that would cause problems. "If someone parks a truck in front of the barge terminal - that would affect us," he said

But for the time being, Mr Page said, "All of our chain for orders is unaffected".

The dispute is over long distance drivers' issues including newly introduced fatigue laws, increases in registration fees and the fuel excise but has not been supported by all factions of the trucking industry.

According to an ABC radio report today, Brisbane Markets wholesaler Peter Kedwell says there is confusion at the market about what is happening, how long it will last and which trucks will be delivering.

"We don't have any blockade at the market, but there's been less trucks arriving here ... there was quite a number trying to get in before midnight, but it's certainly it a little bit quieter from midnight until now and there's quite a number of people that aren't loading out today," he said. (read full story here).

Mr Armi Bhela from the IGA Supermarket at Nelly Bay Harbour was also reasonably confident in the supply chain. Much of his supplies are provided by rail also and he told Magnetic Times , "We got a load yesterday from QRX and we have been topping up as much as we can - but it will be interseting to see what happens on Wednesday (when more stocks are set to arrive)"

"I heard there wasn't much of a turn-out at Cluden (where truckies were meeting to discuss the dispute)" said Mr Bhela who isn't so confident about Malanda Milk which is long hauled from the Atherton Tablelands. "Malanda milk could be a problem" he said but felt that bread which is baked in Townsville was unlikely to be affected.