Yatala lights: Future of controversial Gold Coast sign revealed

The Gold Coast City Council has clarified its intentions for the future of a controversial artwork on the M1. FIND OUT MORE

Specialist art consultants have been brought in by the Gold Coast City Council to help figure out how to get rid of the infamous Yatala lights.

The ratepayer-funded lights, which were installed in the lead-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games, were supposed to be removed by Christmas 2023.

But despite widespread derision, the $2m artwork remains in place, with the lights switched off on weekends.

The removal bill is expected to top $250,000, while reinstallation was tipped to be more than $1.4m, according to budget documents.

The lights can only be read properly from nearby fields. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

A council spokeswoman said work was ongoing behind the scenes and that a report would be considered by councillors once it was completed.

“As per council resolution, City officers are ensuring that the artwork is removed in accordance with the City’s Public Art Policy,” she said.

“This has included liaising with the artists and engaging specialist art consultants to evaluate and advise on appropriate disposal of the artwork.

“Detailed costings for this work are also being undertaken.”

The lights annually costs $30,000 to maintain and have a $5500 power bill

The lights were installed in February 2018, two months ahead of the Commonwealth Games to create ‘gateway statement’ for the city.

Funded in the 2017 budget by the council, the 11m tall signs were created in the hopes of making a city icon on par with the Hollywood and Welcome to Las Vegas signs.

However, the project caused an uproar when the art installation revealed the Gold Coast letters were facing east-west and could not be read by motorists.

‘Cheaper to keep them’: Mystery of controversial lights’ fate

The controversial Yatala lights remain on the M1 nearly 18 months after the Gold Coast City Council voted to dismantle and remove the artwork.

The ratepayer-funded lights, which were installed in the lead-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games, were supposed to be removed by Christmas 2023.

But despite widespread derision, the $2m artwork remains in place, with the lights switched off on weekends.

It is understood the removal has not happened because the cost was higher than simply keeping them in place.

The removal bill is expected to top $250,000, while reinstallation was tipped to be more than $1.4m, according to budget documents.

Area councillor Mark Hammel said no steps had been taken in recent months to advance the removal, which councillors voted in favour of last year.

“I haven’t heard anything concrete about them for some time, either from the City or state,” he said.

“I had heard the whispers that it would be more expensive to remove them than keep them and that it would be cheaper to keep them in place.”

Mr Hammel said he was supportive of the lights being relocated and used in another prominent location such as the revamped Gold Coast Turf Club rather than being scrapped entirely.

The lights annually costs $30,000 to maintain and have a $5500 power bill

Cr Mark Hammel

Mayor Tom Tate, who is currently overseas attending the Paralympics, last year said the lights would be gone by Christmas 2023.

“Just so Father Christmas doesn’t get mixed up and goes the wrong way,” he said at the time.

“Now it will go special budget. There will be some homework to be done (on costs).

“During the budget part of it, I would put up to developers or whoever to see if they could use some of it.

“But the other key part that we have to do is check with the artist, that we can separate the elements, after all it’s that person’s art.”

The lights were installed in February 2018, two months ahead of the Commonwealth Games to create ‘gateway statement’ for the city.

The lights when they were being installed in early 2018.

Funded in the 2017 budget by the council, the 11m tall signs were created in the hopes of making a city icon on par with the Hollywood and Welcome to Las Vegas signs.

However, the project caused an uproar when the art installation revealed the Gold Coast letters were facing east-west and could not be read by motorists.

The design was created by New York-based LOT-EK artists Ada Tolla and Giuseppe Lignano who named the project HI-LIGHTS

The artists responded following council’s vote in an open letter, saying the work was being “scapegoated” for “irresponsible driving” on the M1.

“Hi-Lights can – and should – be talked about ever more actively and ever more thoughtfully,” they said.

“This is one of the things art is for, and that we can do for art. Together, we can open a conversation on the many feelings and meanings that people continue to bring to the sculpture.”