The Western Cape Chamber of Commerce is hoping this new sign at the junction of the Peninsula Developmental Road and Bamaga Road will encourage more visitors to ensure Weipa is on the must-visit list during their Cape York adventure. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Regular travellers along the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) will notice a change when they next get to the junction with the Bamaga Road, but it is visitors deciding on a direction the Western Cape Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) is hoping pay the most attention to the eye-catching new addition.
The chamber unveiled its new Weipa promotional sign at the Y-junction earlier this month in a bid to lure more tourists to the township on their Cape York adventure.
WCCC spokesperson Dave Donald was one of the key drivers of the sign project and said he believed it was only fitting the region’s stunning red cliffs were the focus of the advertising campaign.
“The red cliffs were the obvious natural wonder choice, having been originally mentioned during the voyage of the Duyfken by Dutch navigator Willem Jantz in 1606, which was first the recorded European sighting of Australia,” he explained.
“The concept was given unanimous support by [WCCC] members and the executive.”
Mr Donald said the original sign spruiking Weipa to passing travellers at the Y-junction had succumbed to graffiti and vandalism over the years, with the framework requiring significant structural repairs before the new sign was fitted.
“The chamber is well aware of the graffiti problems but decided that the state of the damaged sign was an eyesore and not conducive to promoting Weipa’s tourism industry, therefore, they were happy to invest the considerable funds needed to create the new sign,” Mr Donald said.
Weipa Town Authority Chair Jaime Gane praised the efforts of the chamber and local businesses involved in creating the new sign.
“It’s great to see that the chamber were able to complete this project, which will be a great support to the business community in helping to encourage visitors to make a stopover in Weipa a must-do on their travels,” she said.
Mr Donald explained the project had been a truly collaborative effort between the WCCC and three well-known Weipa businesses.
“The sign work was completed by Jess at Weipa Signs and Graphics, while refurbishment of the sign framework and erection of the sign itself was completed by Carpentaria Contracting,” he said.
“To ensure the quality of the red cliffs image, Bill Watson of Captured Moments Photography was engaged to supply the high-resolution image needed, and he also assisted with expert advice on obtaining the vivid colours featured.”
While it is unlikely to replace the iconic Pajinka sign photo for Cape York travellers, Ms Gane said she was thrilled to see selfies at the new Weipa sign already appearing on social media.
“It already seems to be proving a popular photo op with visitors; I’ve seen multiple posts already from travellers on different Facebook pages who have stopped to get a photo with the sign,” she said.
“It’s free advertising for Weipa every time someone shares a photo of it on social media, so, hopefully, most people stop to get a photo.”
