Betoota needs an advocate - the re-opening of the ghost town's pub has been delayed again as hopes are dashed for a race week opening the second year in a row.
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The pub with no beer 1400km west of Brisbane has been closed since 1997 and the town's population dipped to zero.
When publican Simon Remienko, who managed the business for 44 years, passed away in 2004, he gifted the building to David Brook and Kym Fort, owners of the Birdsville pub.
Hopes rose of a reopening after Mr Brook and Ms Fort sold the pub to Brisbane smash repairer Robert Haken and others including Carol and Wayne Norman, before Christmas 2017.
The new owners initially hoped to reopen the pub in time for the 2018 race meet but were forced to delay due to paperwork issues.
The intention was to try and reopen in time for this year's races.
However for the second year in a row their paperwork was not up to scratch and Betoota remains the pub with no beer.
Diamantina Shire Council said the required liquor and food permits were not in place and they could not issue the pub a licence to trade.
The pub's Facebook page said the pub is closed "to finish restoration work."
"I appreciate your on going support and hope to be able to open in the future. Thank you, Robbo & Friends," the Facebook post said.
The Betoota Races are on Saturday August 31.
Many people head to the races en route to the more famous Birdsville Races a week later.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
