The $237,000 illuminated park sign that doesn’t light up
A fancy new sign at Footscray Park that cost $237,000 can’t be lit up because of electrical problems, and no date has been set for its connection to the power supply.
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It’s the $237,000 illuminated sign that doesn’t light up.
Maribyrnong Council says an expensive new sign at Footscray Park can’t be lit up because of electrical problems.
The 13-letter sign was installed on Ballarat Rd six months ago but has not been connected to the power supply.
“Additional work needs to be carried out to ensure the existing electrical switchboard complies with current electrical standards,” planning services director Nigel Higgins said.
No date has been set for connection.
The Sunday Herald Sun revealed the sign’s cost last month, prompting ratepayers to slam the council’s champagne tastes.
It also splashed almost $20,000 on art direction, photography and creative development for its 2017-18 annual report.
Mr Higgins said a 2011 Footscray Park Masterplan required the council to deliver a “more extravagant, artful and eye-catching entry feature” to entice people into the park.
It had to be “in keeping with the heritage status of the gardens and was supported by our Heritage Advisory members”.
Lighting was installed in the sign when it was built in March and April.
Further permits and extra work had to be conducted by power authorities, Mr Higgins said.
Maribyrnong Ratepayers’ Group spokeswoman Denise Boyd said the council’s spending on infrastructure such as the sign failed the “pub test”.
“(It comes) when you have many low-income residents struggling to pay rates, which keep going up,” Ms Boyd said.
“Why are they spending all this money on lighting for a sign that doesn’t light up?”