Cape York Weekly FREE – #004 | Monday, September 28, 2020
Editor: Matt Nicholls – 0477 450 558 | editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au
$3 MILLION FOR WEIPA PROJECT
Pontoon funding secured By MATT NICHOLLS
WEIPA is in line for a $3 million upgrade to the Evans Landing boat ramp facility after money was found in the budget to deliver the project in full. Cape York Weekly can reveal the state government has allocated the funds to do the job in one go. It follows five years of concerns from the community since the boat ramp was opened. Then in May this year, Member for Cook Cynthia Lui announced it would be fixed, only for it to be later revealed that there wasn’t enough money in the budget to do the job properly. Following public pressure and a meeting between local boat users and the Department of Transport and Main Roads, the government has found the required cash.
Ms Lui, who was due to fly into Weipa today before cancelling her trip, said the new funding would ensure the upgraded pontoon provided weather protection for the nearby boat ramp. “The community has made it clear that every element of this project needs to be done in one go,” she said. “I’m glad locals had an opportunity to make their voices heard, and am pleased TMR has listened and made changes to how the project will be delivered. “The additional funding that’s been secured will allow that to happen, which is a fantastic outcome ahead of works starting before the end of the year.” The new pontoon will also provide extended wave attenuation to the boat ramp. Continued – Page 7
Stingray survivor’s story Weipa school teacher Liam Richards could still crack a smile from his hospital bed in Cairns, a couple of days after a life-threatening encounter with a stingray at Punsand Bay. Report – Page 3
PAGE 2 – WEIPA’S CORONAVIRUS CONCERN