MONEY TO FERN

Unpopular, made overseas and $100,000 over budget. Even the Deputy Mayor says it’s a waste of taxpayer dollars

A COUNCIL committee has voted to press ahead with a controversial project, even though most councillors admit they don’t like it.

Committee members voted by a margin of 4-3 to install large silver fern sculptures in Surfers Paradise. But most of those voting in favour said they only did so because so much money had already been spent.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates slammed the project. “It’s a waste of money,” she said.

THE installation of a controversial sculpture at Surfers Paradise has been branded a “waste of money” after a $100,000 blowout in the project.

The sculpture, which consists of four silver fern leaves, has already cost more than $400,000 and will now need to be moved.

The project, by Irish artist Alex Pentek, was supposed to be installed on the corner of Surfers Paradise Blvd and Elkhorn Ave but will now have to be moved to Elkhorn Ave and the Esplanade.

The sculpture is being moved because engineers found it was impossible to anchor the artwork at the original site due to underground communications, electricity cables and water pipes.

In a tight vote, the Gold Coast City Council’s Economic Development and Major Projects Committee gave approval to move the ferns, but the vote will have to be approved at full council tomorrow.

Without approval to move the sculpture, the council will not be able to install it.

Deputy mayor Donna Gates is among those unhappy with the project.

“We don’t need any more metal structures in our city, we actually do need more plants,” she said. “It’s a waste of money.”

The council originally received a $400,000 grant from the state government to install vegetation or artwork along the light rail route.

“Clearly neither of those were achieved,” Cr Gates said.

When the artwork was originally unveiled in June last year, the 11m ferns were widely panned.

A Bulletin poll found 87 per cent did not view the artwork as a good use of public money. Many readers questioned why the design had been chosen, noting that it reminded them of the symbol used by the New Zealand All Blacks.

Moving the ferns faces a tough battle at the full council tomorrow.

Seven councillors have shown their support.

Four are undecided and two of those who have given their support have only done so because so much money has already been spent.

Broadbeach councillor Paul Taylor was one of just two councillors to speak in favour of moving the ferns.

“The only reason I am speaking for the motion is (because of) how far down the track we have spent,” he said.

“I disagree with how we have blown over budget without coming back to council.”

Committee chair and Robina councillor Hermann Vorster said the council had signed a contract, meaning they would have to finish paying for the sculpture whether it was installed or not.

“I think it is unreasonable there was a $100,000 cost without that coming through special budget and that makes me uncomfortable,” he said.

“What makes me even more uncomfortable is stepping away at this late stage.”

All payments – except for a $60,000 delivery and installation fee – have been made for the sculpture, which is ready to be shipped to the Gold Coast from Ireland.

The ferns were originally scheduled to be installed in April this year.

THE ONLY REASON I AM SPEAKING FOR THE MOTION IS (BECAUSE OF) HOW FAR DOWN THE TRACK WE HAVE SPENT COUNCILLOR PAUL TAYLOR