Gold Coast man offers to store lights for free on Hinterland property - for a little help

A Gold Coast man has offered to store the controversial Yatala light installation “eyesore’’ at his Hinterland property for free – but there’s just one catch.

A GOLD Coast man has offered to store the controversial Yatala light installation “eyesore’’ at his Hinterland property for free – but there’s just one catch.

He wants the council to help build a bridge and pathway on his property for wildlife.

Yesterday the Canungra resident, who wanted to be identified as Tys, told the Bulletin he was “baffled” why, if the council decides to tear down the $2.1 million gateway lights, it will cost $255,000 to store them at a council depot.

A Canungra property in the Gold Coast hinterland where the council's $2.1m Yatala lights could be stored for free. Picture: supplied

“They shouldn’t have to pay that much just to store them,” he said.

On Tuesday councillors at a transport and infrastructure committee meeting voted to remove the installation, hoping the artist – New York-based Ada Tolla of LOT-EK – would buy back the poles and lights. The matter will be decided by a meeting of the full council on Wednesday.

Ms Tolla slammed suggestions of moving or removing the installation, saying it was a “real insult.”

Part of the creek that needs a bridge at the property. Picture: supplied

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But Tys said he wanted to “kill two birds with one stone” by allowing the council to leave the light poles on his Canungra property until they were needed again.

“We’re not asking for any money,” he said.

“But what we’ve got is a 55 acre property out the back of Canungra … that we’re in the process of turning into a natural habitat for wildlife.

“Council have access to all the materials and machines. Why not get them on the back of a project for the whole city?

The property already has a range of wildlife visiting. Picture: supplied

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“If we can help them store them, this is for a lifetime project (to protect wildlife) with so much development on the Gold Coast.’’

Tys said he would like the council to help construct a 60m bridge or culvert across a creek on his property and clear an access path to the back of the property so he and his wife could plant trees.

He already has platypus, eagles, kangaroos, eels, turtles and catfish on the property.

But Acting Mayor Donna Gates said the $255,000 bill would only relate to the removal of the lights — not its storage.

“We appreciate the offer, however the matter is yet to be debated at full council on Wednesday. The result may be that the lights will remain,” she said.

“Should the lights be removed, ratepayers would face no storage costs as the lights would be stored at a council depot.

“Any costs will be related to the physical removal of the lights.’’