The council has developed a Draft Public Art Development Control Plan that requires all commercial developments valued at more than $5 million in the shire to commit one per cent of the budget to original site-specific art and design.

Council policy defines public art as an original artwork designed for a specific site and located on either public or private land or buildings which can be viewed by the general public.

“Council wants to make it clear the one per cent allocation of funds toward a public art budget for commercial developments more than $5 million is not a section 94 developer contribution or levy payable to council,” council’s cultural planner Stuart Slough said.

“The provision encourages the allocations of funds to the public art component of commercial developments to help stimulate the local economy and the local arts industry.

“It also increases professional opportunities for artists and designers to work within broader terms on key development projects… this DCP is part of council’s commitment to providing quality places that reflect distinct local identity.

“Council’s Public Art Policy is based on industry best practice and is similar to other NSW council’s who have sought to establish requirements for developments over a certain size to commission public art.”

The one per cent figure applies only to commercial development which is valued at or more than $5 million and to mixed use development where the commercial portion of the development is valued at or exceeds $5 million.

Council’s Public Art Policy is available to be viewed on the website at www.wyong.nsw.gov.au, which includes details on the commissioning of an artist, the stages of implementing public art and the appointment and role of Council’s Public Art Advisory Group.

“There are many Council’s in NSW that have Public Art Policies and it is common practice to establish a Public Art Advisory Panel that operates in a similar manner to Council urban design panels,” Mr Slough said.

The exhibition period for the DCP 112 closed on June 29, 2009. Council will take into account all submissions in finalising the DCP, which will be considered by council next month.