QHA_March 2018_Electronic_s

FEATURE
“WE ALSO INVEST HEAVILY IN OUR STAFF
ACCOMMODATION, ALLOCATING A LARGE PARCEL
OF LAND FOR THEIR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
WE WOULD UPGRADE THEIR ACCOMMODATION
FACILITIES ALMOST EVERY TWO YEARS TO ENSURE
A GREAT DEAL OF SATISFACTION WITH THEIR
LIVING ARRANGEMENT.”
Clockwise from left - Mark, Brendan,
John, Bernard and Eamon Power
QHA REVIEW | 26
and again. As such, we get them down to Brisbane to
watch the football and to keep them in tune with what
trends are developing in terms of dining, food and
beverage.
“We also invest heavily in our staff accommodation,
allocating a large parcel of land for their recreational
facilities. We would upgrade their accommodation
facilities almost every two years to ensure a great deal
of satisfaction with their living arrangement.”
As most would be well aware, the Power family have a
long history in the hotels industry so I was keen to hear
about their future plans for the business.
“We are at a point where our freehold hotels and
interest in liquor are solely focussed in Cape York
(In the late 90’s the Power Hotel Group divested
itself of numerous hotel interests around the State).
This however could change in the next two to three
years. The group is now quite diverse with interests in
property, event management and so forth but our first
and foremost passion and commitment is in hotels and
that will remain forever and a day. We have invested
in a long-term plan in the Cape so we want to see
it develop and grow but we still want the region to
retain its special appeal - that natural beauty and the
culture of Cape York itself. That is an important part of
ensuring the hotel and Weipa itself is progressive.
“There is a lot happening in the region and a wealth
of beauty with incredible recreational opportunities as
well. It is truly exciting. The dynamic of Weipa and Far
North Queensland has changed more in the last 10
years than it has in the previous 50 years. It really has
a wonderful feel to it.”