Lights on the Hill OK, but back off on ads

CITY leaders have backed the use of Castle Hill for light shows but at least one councillor says he wouldn’t like to see the iconic landmark used for advertising.

A light show planned for the Opera House to advertise Sydney’s Everest horse race has divided a nation as people find reasons for and against the proposal.

Townsville’s Acting Mayor Les Walker said it was an interesting debate and a “bit of a mess” splitting people “down the middle”.

“I think the court of public opinion will be, don’t touch the Opera House with punting. Leave the horses out of it.

“It’s a cultural and arts space,” Cr Walker said.

“They have taken it to a new level ( by) putting horse numbers all over it, gambling. People are very sensitive.”

When asked about the use of icons like Castle Hill for commercial use, Cr Walker said the Townsville City Council would take everything on board and make a decision on merit.

“I’m not going to get involved in what- ifs,” Cr Walker said.

Cr Paul Jacob said he had been following the events and while the light show had the approval of Labor and Liberal politicians, he did not like the idea of putting any sort of advertising on the Opera House.

“I don’t mind big sporting events. If somebody could design an algorithm for Castle Hill to put our festival 2019 or something like that, I’d go with it, but no advertising,” he said.

The original plan was to conduct a live barrier draw of the Everest horse race and project the result on to the Opera House sails, but the approved proposal has been a toned- down version.