We ask ... Will OPTO return to Redcliffe?

OPTO, the giant spinning rings artwork which overlooked the Redcliffe foreshore for 12 years before it was removed for ‘refurbishment’ last May has still not returned.

In May 2023 the entire structure, which had stood opposite Bee Gees Way, was taken down and the void concreted-in.

In November last year, a council spokeswoman said the sculpture was in secure storage. She said it had been exposed to all kinds of weather conditions, including major storms and torrential rain in recent years.

“Council has received the condition assessment for OPTO. Overall, OPTO is in reasonable condition,” the spokeswoman said.

“However, OPTO is a complex artwork with internal engineering to enable its moving parts and specialist maintenance works and refurbishments are required to ensure this large-scale kinetic sculpture is fully functional and in its best condition.

“Council is currently preparing the tender for this specialist maintenance and refurbishment to be undertaken.

“The timelines for the tender process and the refurbishment mean that OPTO will likely be offsite for at least another six months.”

What’s happening now?

With the six-month timeline now long passed, we asked council if OPTO would be returning soon.

The spokeswoman said the artwork was removed due to deterioration and ‘further assessments on the sculpture are underway’.

She could not provide a timeline for this work or news on OPTO’s return.

The artwork was reported to have cost $291,000 when it was erected in late 2011 as one of five public art figures in the Redcliffe Seaside Rejuvenation Project.

Since then, residents and visitors have nicknamed OPTO the Cheezels, donuts, bubble blower, onion rings and more.

It was designed by Phil Price and made of steel and carbon fibre. The rings are rotated by the wind and as they pass over each other, they appear to open and close.