GC signage ‘cost $3 mil’

ONE of two Gold Coast City councillors who voted against the controversial Gold Coast sign bookends at Yatala and Coolangatta has revealed the highly criticised project actually cost taxpayers up to $3 million dollars.

Councillor William OwenJones said the installation, which he voted down, had major support from council, despite its “excessive” price tag.

“Every now and then there are expensive projects that get majority support, that as individual councillors we vote against, but cannot stop happening,” he said.

“There’s obviously a difference of opinion on it, but it is what it is.

“The smaller ‘GC’ sign at the airport, which has been built from the same materials, is easier on the eye as it sits at right-angles to the flow of traffic, so it at least can be read.”

He said the project was approved by council following an international competition, and he was one of only two councillors who voted against the project.

“The budget was $2 million from the city and $1 million from the State (Government) for the two bookends,” he said.

“I don’t think the $3 million dollar figure has been publicly stated before.

“We’ve publicly said $2 million because that is what is on our budget papers.”

While he could not confirm the exact cost of the two gateway signs, he said $3 million had been allocated towards it from combined local and State art funds.

The public art commissioned at Yatala, the bigger of two installations as part of the Gateway Art Project, has attracted much public commentary with racing great Russell Ingall saying the installation was a huge waste of taxpayer money.

Public reaction to the signage, which has been deemed a source of driver distraction, has been so far uncomplimentary with locals saying the sign was difficult to read.

Local Craig Graham commented on Facebook “the cost is obscene, the ‘art’ is unreadable to those driving, the contract awarded to an overseas company, and it’s downright ugly during day time” he said.