Cape York Weekly FREE – #109 | Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Editor: Matt Nicholls 0477 450 558 | editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au
CUP MEET PROVES POPULAR
There were no records broken at the Cooktown Amateur Turf Club on Saturday but another good crowd gathered for the 148th annual Cup meeting. Overcast and breezy conditions provided relief for both horses and punters on the six-race program. Socials – Pages 14 & 15 | Racing action – Pages 24 & 25
The crowd watches on as Lacey Morrison crossed the line in front on Racatoon (far left) for Georgetown trainer Athol Ryan in the first on the card at Cooktown.
Future of tourist park, roadhouse up in air
Bramwell blunder? By MATT NICHOLLS
THE future of two iconic tourism destinations is unclear as the state government fumbles over deals to keep them running beyond the end of the month. Bramwell Station was bought by the Queensland government for $11.5 million in February this year and the sale included the famous
tourist park and roadhouse, as well as 130,000 hectares. The businesses have been kept running by Wendy Kozicka and Vince Bowyer, who sub-leased the operations. However, in just three weeks, the keys get handed back to the state government. “I have no idea who is taking over and I’m not even sure they
do,” Ms Kozicka told Cape York Weekly on Sunday. “All I know is I’m doing the handover on the 30th of this month and I’ll be meeting my obligations.” Ken Godfrey, who has leased the Bramwell Tourist Park off Ms Kozicka and Mr Bowyer for a number of years, growing it into a major tourist destination, said he
was unsure if he would return in 2023. “When I know you’ll know,” he said. “I’ve put in an expression of interest but I haven’t heard anything.” While the state has made it clear it has no intention to shut down either business in the long-term, there are concerns about the han-
dling of the new leases and the transparency of arrangements. “I’m not aware of any advertisements asking for expressions of interest,” Ms Kozicka said. “All I know is the tourist park has two years of bookings and I’ll be devastated if they let it run into the ground after all the work that was put in.” Continued – Page 4
Here’s cheers to the 2022 RUNNING OF THE BULLS – Friday November 11
Y T R A P N U R E R P OFFICIAL lby 6pm – midnight @ The A
• Good food • Cold drinks • Cocktails • Raffles & Games – with proceeds going to RFDS • Musical Bingo with DJ Zac