by Robyn May and Waratah Nicholls
Entrants, organisers and voters gathered at the Lakeland Coffee House on Tuesday 19 September for the final vote and announcement of the results of the ‘Gateway to the Cape’ design concept competition.
Funding from the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection has enabled the first step towards a ‘Gateway to the Cape’ traveller’s information and rest stop.
This new facility is intended to offer travellers a place to have a break, take photographs and view the educational interactive displays, taking time to understand a little more about the beauty and specialness of Cape York Peninsula.
The winner for the building design concept is Garry O’Kane from Lakeland, and the winner for the public art sculpture design award is Ori Albert-Mitchell, from Bloomfield.
Project Manager Waratah Nicholls said there had been a good response from the Lakeland community.
“I am really happy that one of the residents has won this fantastic prize and the honour of his design being built in their community” Waratah said.
The competition ensured that everyone in Lakeland had the opportunity to put their ideas forward and have their say as part of the process, the final selection was put to the vote by the people.
Garry’s design based on a horse stable, reflecting Lakeland’s light horse history, will now be developed into structural plans and submitted to Council for approval.
Ori’s design of a staged scene, encompassing many characters of Cape York will also be developed and then installed on the site, it will certainly attract travellers to stop and enjoy the ‘Gateway to the Cape’.
“I encourage everyone to visit the Lakeland Coffee House to have a look at all the entries on display, and to vote for the ‘People’s Choice’ award. Voting closes on 16 October” Waratah said.
This project is an initiative of the Combating Litter & Illegal Dumping Creatively on Cape York Project supported by the Queensland Government's Litter and Illegal Dumping Community and Industry Partnerships Program and Cape York NRM.
