Gold Coast Council votes to leave Yatala lights where they are because of cost of removing them

A council meeting has voted to keep the controversial lights at the M1 in Yatala where they are despite calls for their removal. Here’s why.

THE controversial Yatala lights on the M1 will remain in place.

A super majority of councillors at full council today voted to keep the city’s controversial $2.1 million northern entry statement.

Mayor Tom Tate had put forward the recommendation that no more ratepayer money be spent on the infrastructure in terms of removal.

“Haste is waste. Don’t spend the money today,” he told councillors.

The M1 lights by day. Picture Mike Batterham.

THE ONE PLACE YOU CAN READ ‘GOLD COAST’ IN YATALA LIGHTS

The vote occurred after about 30 minutes of debate at the Evandale Chamber. Only Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, councillor Glenn Tozer and councillor Cameron Caldwell voted against.

The option to remove the lights at a later date was kept open, but would require interested parties to make offers.

A recommendation was the mayor and CEO Dale Dickson investigate other opportunities for “optimisation of this artwork including the feasibility and cost benefit”.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate wants the lights to stay at Yatala to save costs. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Council’s decision today came despite calls from residents for the lights to be removed.

The Gold Coast Bulletin conducted an online survey which showed nearly 49 per cent of voters wished for the sculpture to be taken down and used to light up local parks.

Thirty-two per cent of voters wanted to see the sculpture moved to another location while 17 per cent wanted it to be left where it is.

Just 1.51 per cent of those surveyed wanted to put the sculpture in storage.

Results from the Gold Coast Bulletin's online poll on the future of the Yatala M1 sculpture.

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Cr Gates said at today’s meeting that she wants the lights moved to Carrara’s Metricon Stadium.

Cr Gates, who represents Division 1 in the city’s north, has received the most negative comments about the lights.

She said the project had impacted on the reputation of the city.

Cr Gates was supported by hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer.

“I think we need to bite the bullet, that we need to relocate (the lights),” he said.

Councillors were told the infrastructure costs $30,000 to maintain each year but had yet to require replacement light bulbs. Electricity costs totalled about $5500.

For the lights to be moved to a new location, it would cost between $1.2 million to $1.4 million, with the higher amount due to traffic management.

The artist responsible for the lights would have to be consulted if they were turned off.