Quadrennial Public Artwork Commission

This submission can be downloaded as a pdf for printing.

Deputation to Council - 3 March 2025

Thank you, Mayor Bria, for allowing this deputation to be made in support of Councillor Grant Piggott’s motion.

I note the comments of the Kensington Residents Association that public art has an important place in our community, and while we agree with that sentiment, we disagree that the next major art purchase should proceed.

Normally our Associations share similar views. We work together on many issues. For example, on March the 12th in the St Peters Banquet Hall our Associations are jointly hosting a Sturt Candidate Election Forum and Roger is the moderator.

I would like to invite all councillors to attend the Forum on Wednesday week.

SPRA has, for the past few years expressed concern at council's future budget position. Council finances over the next 10 years will be, to put it mildly, “tight”. We understand ESCOSA will be conducting an audit into Council's finances this year, and we have noted the LGFA Local Government Financial Authority’s loan requirements. The SPRA committee unanimously supports Counsellor Piggott’s motion.

While the artwork cost is less than 1% of rate revenue, it is still a very significant $300,000. Your decision not to install the next quadrennial artwork during this term of Council will demonstrate to the community the financial responsibility of Council.

SPRA also disagrees with the proposed siting of the artwork on Osmond Terrace. In addition to Councillor Piggott’s reasons for this, I would like to add that the location of a previous quadrennial artwork “Midnight Sun” is at the Magill Rd end of Osmond Terrace. Additionally, near William St is the Great War Trophy German Canon. Osmond Terrace is already the premier art street in the Council area.

We do not want our Council to be in the same situation as the North Sydney Council, where the ABC recently reported that rates will rise by 87% over the next 2 years, in part due to that Council’s $90m swimming pool redevelopment.

We urge members to support Counsellor Piggott’s motion.

Meeting Outcome

SPRA are disappointed that councillors voted against excercising fiscal restraint.
SPRA would like to comment councillors Piggott, Moorhouse, McFarlane & Simms for voting in support of the motion to reduce council debt.

NPSP Council have published a Call for Expressions of Interest from Artists or Artist Teams
Quadrennial Public Artwork