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How many councillors does it take to turn off the Gold Coast’s most hated lights

Gold Coast City councillors return today for the first full council meeting of the year, but remain divided: what to do with the city’s most expensive and ridiculed sign?

Gold Coast City Council votes on Yatala M1 lights

COUNCILLORS line up for their first full council meeting of the year today — and are already divided on the city’s most burning issue, what to do with the Gold Coast’s most expensive and ridiculed sign.

So how many councillors does it require to change the $2.1 million Yatala lights on the M1?

On the count conducted by the Bulletin late yesterday, the bid by Mayor Tom Tate to keep hundreds of lights on — and to save ratepayers’ money — will prevent the switch being flicked off.

At least five councillors support the Mayor on this issue and ironically, most are not his usual backers.

At a committee meeting held last week, Councillors Dawn Crichlow, Gary Baildon and Peter Young voted against dismantling the lights.

The lights by day at Yatala. Picture Mike Batterham.
The lights by day at Yatala. Picture Mike Batterham.

When contacted yesterday, Cr William Owen-Jones and Cr Bob La Castra indicated their support for the lights to stay.

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Councillors Gail O’Neill, Kristyn Boulton and Hermann Vorster could not be contacted before deadline. Cr Daphne McDonald has asked for feedback on her Facebook page and colleague Glenn Tozer remains undecided.

“I’ll await debate and report at council tomorrow to make my decision. I’m currently inclined to see the parts repurposed for other suitable uses,” Cr Tozer said.

Cr Cameron Caldwell — in a bid to “right what was clearly viewed as a wrong by some sectors of the community” — had argued successfully for the lights to be removed and used at parks and in public spaces.

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Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate at Evandale. Picture: Jerad Williams.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate at Evandale. Picture: Jerad Williams.

He was supported in committee by Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and Councillors Pauline Young and Paul Taylor.

The Mayor’s position potentially puts him off-side with the Deputy Mayor and Cr Caldwell, both strong supporters and part of “the leadership group”, and for once in agreement with his veteran Southport rival, Cr Crichlow.

“I think they should be left there. I’m getting more calls from people who want them left there,” Cr Crichlow said.

Cr Tate vowed the debate would be heard in an open session so “the public can hear my views about the proper expenditure of ratepayers’ funds”.

“Long term, I am proposing a change to our Public Arts Policy and the membership of any selection panel. I believe those changes will ensure we never end up with this situation again,” he said.

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The Gold Coast sign in lights pictured on the M1. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)
The Gold Coast sign in lights pictured on the M1. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

“Any draft changes to the policy will need to come back through full council but for now, I am committed to ensuring no more ratepayers’ funds are wasted on the M1 entry statement lights.’’

The controversial lights project was opposed by Cr Gates, Cr Owen-Jones, Cr Tozer and Cr Crichlow.

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Cr Owen-Jones told the Bulletin: “I did not vote for them to be installed and I do not support spending any funds on removing them to storage.”

Cr La Castra said he was “not a fan” but agreed it was difficult to justify spending more public money to remove the lights.

Another view of the controversial lights. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)
Another view of the controversial lights. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

“We also received significant funding from the State Government which is another consideration,” he said.

As the northern-based councillor, Cr Gates — who voted against the lights in the first place — copped the most criticism as ratepayers demanded the council focus on spending money on improving congested roads.

But a recommendation that the lights remain will be welcomed by the New York-based artist.

LOT-EK artist Ada Tolla was horrified when told about the council’s plan to remove the lights and welcomed public debate about the set art piece.

“Disappointing, and very expensive,” Ms Tolla said of the committee decision.

“To move the piece is complex since the work has foundations. Think of it as trees, with their roots below the ground, and with all the electrical connections below. There is no victory in demolition or dismantling, just a lot of money to destroy or break, rather than build.”

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/council/how-many-councillors-does-it-take-to-turn-off-the-gold-coasts-most-hated-lights/news-story/abc196a787314faaeabb92830815a366