Cynthia Lui MP
Member for Cook
Media Release
The Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui is pleased that the construction of the Travellers Information Centre and Interactive Sculpture Park (Gateway to the Cape) Project at Lakeland is still moving forward while we are all managing to deal with COVID-19.
Cook Shire Council was awarded $998,000 under Round 4 of the Queensland State Government’s Building our Regions program toward the development of the Gateway to the Cape Project. The total anticipated project cost is $1,288,000.
“The new Gateway will include an information centre, interactive sculpture park, rest stop and barbeque area,” Ms Lui said.
“Lakeland is the unofficial gateway to Cape York Peninsula and this project is going to be an important piece of tourism infrastructure for Cape York Peninsula once we are back travelling again.
“Once we are through COVID-19, I expect that the visitation to Cape York Peninsula will bounce back well as tourists spend more time travelling within Australia. Being able to receive information about accommodation options, attractions including our national parks, local culture, heritage, and environment will be well received by our tourists coming through.
“Twelve jobs will be created over the two-month construction period for the travellers information centre, with more jobs created during the construction of the sculpture park as the project progresses,” she said.
Project earth works commenced in late 2019 and Cook Shire Council is currently assessing the tenders for the civil works and building of the information centre.
The Mayor of the Cook Shire Council, Cr Peter Scott said, “This is an exciting project in the ongoing improvement of access to the Cape. The many supporting communities of the region see this as a key catalyst to inform and direct visitors here and grow our massive tourism potential.”
“It’s important that we know that, while COVID has impacted significantly on our lives, work is progressing on important projects such as the Gateway Project and I look forward to seeing it come into being,” Ms Lui concluded.
ENDS
Contact: Cook Electorate Office 4223 1100