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

The future of the Yatala lights artwork on the M1, which has been ridiculed by the public, has been decided in a special council meeting. Here’s what they decided to do.

The Yatala lights on the Pacific Motorway – the Gold Coast’s most embarrassing public art installation – are to remain lit up.

Councillors at a transport committee briefing on Tuesday received an update from officers in closed session which looked at “safety concerns” and estimated costs associated with the removal of the artwork.

The lights have remained on during the week but turned off on the weekends.

Councillors voted on a recommendation that the lights should remain as an artwork. A final vote and decision will be made at a full council meeting on October 22.

Councillor Glenn Tozer received backing from councillors to a motion to keep the lights turned on.

“Frankly, my reasons for voting for that – I don’t want to spend another dollar on this project,” he said.

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

Councillors went into closed session at 2.40pm because it was a budget matter and involved legal advice. They spoke briefly in open session just before 4pm.

Mr Tozer acknowledged criticism from members of the public that the entry statement could not be seen by vehicles. But the artists were held in high regard internationally.

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

Officers had sought endorsement from Council on the future of 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 agreed that the $2 million public art installation funded by taxpayers and ratepayers for the 2018 Commonwealth Games would not be relocated to a new home, despite residents suggesting several prime tourism locations. Re-installation could cost $1.4 million.

M1 traffic passing the lights. Picture: Mike Batterham.

Northern-based councillor Mark Hammel had put forward a recommendation for the removal of the lights with the required funding being $250,000. This was backed by committee.

Councillors after being given a costing brief supported the earlier committee recommendation. There was no debate.

Mayor Tom Tate at the time said the matter would be referred to special budget with a decision on costs.

He said the lights would remain in the interim “on” unless police requested for them to be turned off to stop hoons gathering.

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