Barely readable 'Gold Coast' sign labelled a 'fail'

A barely readable sign "Gold Coast", nicknamed 'Hi Lights', has been widely criticised since being built before this year's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Judges for the sign at Yatala thought it would look "outstanding" before it was eventually built in the middle of the Pacific Motorway.

A Right to Information investigation reveals Council's architects felt it would have a "timeless quality" during the selection process, however these sentiments were not shared by the public.

In response to the question, "to what level does the proposed artwork provide a visual experience appropriate to driving viewers," Gold Coast Council's project manager wrote, "outstanding".

These comments were eventually endorsed by a panel of six art critics in May last year.

However, many people claim the sign can only be read while viewing from private property, a kilometre back.

"It's a massive fail, an absolutely massive fail," Gold Coast deputy mayor Donna Gates admitted.

Documents released as part of the RTI investigation show judges were warned about the sign's "daytime salience" and whether or not there'd be "too much concentrated light" at night.

"I'm not surprised, I'm not surprised," veteran councillor Dawn Crichlow said.

Gold Coast Council is now looking at spending more ratepayer money to either move or modify the sign, with the Broadwater Parklands at Southport being strongly considered as its possible new home.

There is a push, however, from some councillors to simply scrap the project, fearing it would be a lasting reminder of a "bureaucratic stuff up".