This man may be the only one who can read Gold Coast sign

As Gold Coast councillors vote on whether to tear down a contoversial light sign, we’ve uncovered the only place from which it can be properly viewed.

BRANDON Ellison is one of the few fans of the Gold Coast’s controversial Pacific Motorway sign at Yatala — which may be because he is about the only person who can read it.

Gold Coast City councillors will vote tomorrow on whether to scrap the $2.1 million gateway sign — erected as a Commonwealth Games legacy art project — after a public outcry that it is unreadable to passing motorists.

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Created by two New York architects from 97 light poles, the sign spells out Gold Coast when lit up at night.

But its positioning side-on to the motorway makes it illegible to passing motorists.

While people stopping to fill up at the nearby BP roadhouse can make out the sign, Mr Ellison — who lives in a rented farmhouse about 500m directly east of the structure — is the only person with a clear view.

“I think it’s pretty cool but that’s maybe because I’m the only person who can actually read it,” he said.

“It was a good idea which perhaps could have been executed a little better.

“Maybe it could be modified but I think it would be just wasting more money to get rid of it.”

Yatala resident Brendan Ellison with dog Bailey, and the Gold Coast light sign visible in the distance. Picture: David Clark/AAP

Service station worker Megan Fennell said the sign was “horrible” and also dangerous, as it caused motorists to slow down on the motorway to try to read it.

“There’s so much more we could have done with that cash, like fixing up the road,” she said.

One of the architects behind the installation, Ada Tolla, has slammed the council’s move to take down the lights (at an estimated cost of $255,000) and re-position them in public parks as “an insult” and “like asking Picasso to change his work”.

Her comments were echoed by Queensland College of Art lecturer professor Jay Younger, who was lead curator for the project.

Prof Younger described the council’s move as “embarrassing” and an example of “public art bashing”.

Gold Coast Deputy Mayor and area councillor Donna Gates wants the light poles pulled down, but Mayor Tom Tate will push for them to stay put.

“Ratepayers will not want to see any more money spent on this project,” he said.

There’s only one good angle from which to read the controversial Gold Coast light sign. Picture: Josh Woning/AAP

Originally published as This man may be the only one who can read Gold Coast sign