Muriel Henchman Park: Gold Coast council left with egg on its face after embarrassing sign blunder

Eagle-eyed passers-by have noticed a hilarious slip in a trio of signs unveiled as part of a $19m Gold Coast park redevelopment.

In an embarrassing blunder, a trio of signs have been installed at Muriel Henchman Park advertising the rules of the 'pubic' – not public – pontoon. Picture: Alex Treacy

The City of Gold Coast has been left with egg on its face after accidentally inserting a genital reference in signs advertising a recently opened pontoon on The Spit.

The signs are contained within Muriel Henchman Park, which was recently subject to a $19m improvement project to install a variety of marine and leisure infrastructure.

In an embarrassing blunder, a trio of signs have been installed at Muriel Henchman Park advertising the rules of the 'pubic' – not public – pontoon. Picture: Alex Treacy

The clanger is contained within a trio of signs setting out the rules for using the new 30m public pontoon – which has unfortunately been spelled as ‘pubic’ pontoon.

First spotted by an eagle-eyed user of internet noticeboard Reddit, and confirmed by this masthead during a site visit on Tuesday afternoon, the Freudian slip was the subject of much mirth online, with the phallic jokes flying thick and fast.

In an embarrassing blunder, a trio of signs have been installed at Muriel Henchman Park advertising the rules of the 'pubic' – not public – pontoon. Picture: Alex Treacy

“They are erecting new signs all over the place!” one Redditor jested, to which another responded, “Are they hard wood by chance?”

Others bemoaned the misapplication of ratepayer dollars.

“This would [have had to have] been approved too. Tax dollars at work!” said one commenter.

Another added, “I’m a bit of a spelling and grammar cop but this is just beyond words. SO proud of our council.”

In a statement, the council confessed to the blunder.

“The City apologises for the error and will remove the signage today,” a spokeswoman said. “This signage is created in-house at a minimal cost and will be replaced with the correct wording as a matter of priority.”

Later on Wednesday, the council said it had removed the offending signs.

Originally published as Muriel Henchman Park: Gold Coast council left with egg on its face after embarrassing sign blunder