A SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council decision to outsourcing printing has alarmed some Daily News readers.

Some readers were full of questions, other were skeptical.

Compudj said a lack of local demand due to low population didn't help.

" How many businesses in this area continue to upgrade their prices but not company production capabilities?," they wrote.

"They should have at least been able to do water usage accts. as they are addressed to "the house holder".

"I understand Microsoft office can merge from data bases."

Darryl Evans demanded an explanation from the Mayor.

"During the last election in front of everyone at Stanthorpe Civic Centre and Warwick RSL at Kings Theatre Mr Blundell said he would implement a buy local policy as I was advocating should I had been Elected," he wrote.

"There are so many contradictions compared to publicly spoken words. I feel Jilted."

Other readers could see why the council made the decision.

Finga wrote that not any company could print sensitive items such as rates notices.

"One item that any printing company that prints rates notices needs to address is security," they wrote.

"It's not simply a matter of printing 12,000 'pamphlet' type things and bunging them in an envelope and sticking them in the post. Each rates notice is different."

The Daily News reader also questioned what capabilities local companies had that made them equal to outside business.

"If they cannot be considered as an equal then they're not in the running....plain and simple," Finga wrote.

"I can say my ride-on lawn mower with a blade bolted to the front can grade Washpool road.

"But is it efficient in matters such as cost, time or ability when you consider the SDRC's grader grading the same section of road. Do the two methods achieve the same result?"