Sponsor opportunities for the Gateway to the Cape

By Waratah Nicholls, Project Manager, Gateway to the Cape

Organisations and businesses are offered the golden opportunity to promote their businesses and support a great local initiative by sponsoring a new traveller stop and information centre on Cape York.

The new traveller stop, named ‘Gateway to the Cape’, will be situated at the junction of the Mulligan Highway and the Peninsula Development Road at Lakeland, which is 80kms south of Cooktown. This is an ideal spot for travellers to stop on their way to the tip of Australia, and while travelling through Cape York.

Project Manager Waratah Nicholls said the project steering committee and Lakeland community were planning something special.

“The building, is designed by local Garry O’Kane, and was the winning concept selected in a design competition earlier this year” Waratah said. “It is modelled on a horse stable, reflecting the light horse breeding history of Lakeland. The stable will make an interesting setting for information displays, and for sheltering people from sun and rain” she said.

The building will be set into a sculpture park, which is mapped out as a representation of Cape York Peninsula. The Gateway to the Cape park will house BBQ facilities, and will showcase the work of local artists through sculptures, and installations, that explore the culture, creatures and geographic features, of the region. The sculptures will form part of an interactive, environmental and educational game that visitors can play as they walk around the park. 

“There is a buzz about this project; it is an opportunity for the Cape York Peninsula community to be part of something big and unique as well as representative of our country” Waratah said.

Lakeland Progress Association’s Stefanie O’Kane said the project would be an attraction where all travellers will want to stop, relax and enjoy the facility.

“It is good to get all the great info about the region out there and in one place” Stefanie said.

“Lakeland is the perfect place for that, at the beginning of people’s trip to the Tip. Lakeland residents are excited about having this facility in their back yard. We see the Gateway as a place we will be able to relax, join friends for a BBQ, and let the kids play. It will be an interesting place to show off to our visitors” she said.

Stefanie said that the school will use the facility as a learning tool, and as an activity to teach students about the environment and about the different regions, history and cultures of Cape York.

“I encourage everyone to get involved in this wonderful community project” Stefanie said. “It is something we can be proud of - so get involved, have a say in the park’s design, volunteer to help, and come along to community sculpture creating workshops.”

Funded by a Cook Shire Council RADF grant, workshop dates will be announced soon.

Waratah said that the project was in line with the Thoughtful Travelling Cape York initiative, and plans for the park would have minimal environmental footprint.

“The sculptures will be created from recycled materials like old farm and mining machinery, tyres, corrugated iron or satellite dishes; the building will include recycled materials; and the BBQ areas could be shaded by satellite dishes.

“This park will certainly grab everyone’s attention” Waratah said.

Thoughtful Travelling Group Cape York is an alliance of Cape York organisations working together to reduce the environmental impacts caused by people travelling on Cape York - impacts caused by litter, illegal dumping, spreading weeds, unplanned fire and illegal access can all create longer-term problems for the environment and those that manage it.

For more information, contact Waratah waratahnicholls@gmail.com

Gateway to the Cape was supported by Cape York NRM and the Queensland Government's Litter and Illegal Dumping Community and Industry Partnership Program.

GOLDEN SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The ‘Gateway to the Cape - Traveller Information Stop’, offers you a unique opportunity to promote your business, and be part of a creative initiative that helps protect our unique environment.
Sponsorship is invited for:
• Construction of the building
• Sculptures and installations that reflect your business/region
• BBQ areas
• Information Signage
Please contact Waratah on 0429695533 or email waratahnicholls@gmail.com for more information