Yatala lights: Councillors in critical vote after report on Coast’s most embarrassing public art saga

A final decision has been made on the future of the ridiculed Yatala lights artwork on the M1, with one councillor saying it was “the end of the story” for the $2.1m installation.

The Yatala lights on the Pacific Motorway will remain lit up forever after a final vote of councillors on the Gold Coast’s most controversial art installation.

All councillors at a full Gold Coast City Council meeting on Tuesday backed a previous unanimous vote at a transport committee to keep the lights at the city’s northern border and not relocate the artwork further south.

The item was passed without any debate, with many councillors reluctant to add comment to a hot issue which has put the spotlight on wasting ratepayer money.

The Yatala lights. (AAP Image/Josh Woning).

Hinterland councillor Glenn Tozer, who originally put forward the motion to keep the lights and reduce expenses, said councillors were given a report by officers on the lights which considered removal costs.

The details could not be made public because they were discussed in a closed session, he said.

“In the light of that information I found it impossible to do anything other than resolve to support the resolution to leave them in place,” Mr Tozer said.

“My view is we should spend no more money on this particular project and let them be a reminder how important and divisive public art projects can be and the importance of diligence when our advisory committee provide advice to council about them.”

Mr Tozer said the issues of relocation or removal did not just relate to the costs of replacing metal forming part of the art work.

He said there were “artistic elements” along with the underground electricity costs and expenses of shutting down the M1 toremove the footings.

“There were significant costs (and it was my personal opinion) – we should not spend any further money,” Mr Tozer said.

“My view is this is the end of the story. They are going to remain in place. It is what it is.”

Mr Tozer admitted it was possible, if agreement was reached on a future location acceptable to all councillors and the artist that the lights could be moved as part of a City project.

M1 traffic passing the lights. Picture: Mike Batterham.

Mr Tozer acknowledged criticism from members of the public that the entry statement could not be seen by vehicles.

He said the artwork was visually appealing from the right perspective.

Officers had sought endorsement from council on the future of the Hi-Lights artwork with several options offered.

In March last year, councillors decided the Yatala lights should be dismantled and removed from the Pacific Motorway.

They were told removing the lights from the M1 and installing them at a new location could cost $2 million.

The shock budget forecast suggested the $2.1m art feature stayed at the M1 in the short term.

Mayor Tom Tate in January 2019 put forward a motion that the lights remain at Yatala and was backed by a super majority ofcouncillors. He said he wanted to protect ratepayer money

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