NORTH SYDNEY PUBLIC Art TRAIL Final Report - July 2015 Contents PART ONE: REVIEW Background 5 Approach 6 Methodology 7 SWOT Analysis 8 Proposed Trail Map 9 PART TWO: TRAIL SITES Sites #1 - 20 11 PART THREE: RECOMMENDATIONS Summary 41 Key Elements 42 Creative Themes 43 Proposed Artworks 45 PART FOUR: IMPLEMENTATION Project Staging 49 Accessibility 49 Proposed Artwork Budget 50 Trail Signage 51 Digital Engagement 52 PART FIVE: APPENDIX PART ONE REVIEW BACKGROUND The North Sydney Public Art Trail (NSPAT) has North Sydney: Public Art Policy Context Objectives been initiated by North Sydney Council (NSC) Progressive, Vibrant, Diverse NSC’s Public Art Policy aims to foster the This report aims to provide the first step as part of their vision to shape a progressive, creation of high quality public art in North towards a high quality public art trail for North vibrant and diverse North Sydney community. The North Sydney Local Government Area Sydney, ensuring a commitment to excellence, Sydney, one which is distinct from other places NSC is currently revising its Public Art Guide is located on the northern side of Sydney innovation and diversity, enhancing and in Australia and which celebrates the diversity publication (2012) which includes both Council- Harbour, it is both urban and green in enriching the visual appearance, sense of and uniqueness of the locality. character, comprising two Central Business civic identity and liveability of North Sydney created public art and privately commissioned Key objectives for the trail include: artwork. In 2012 Council renamed Mount Districts, smaller suburban centres, residential and its environs. It is designed to promote, Street Plaza, Brett Whiteley Place and a new areas, parks and open spaces as well as emphasise and complement the desirable 1. The creation of a nationally recognised design is being developed for this central harbour frontage. aspects, intrinsically unique qualities and cultural attraction urban space. Council intends that public art The North Sydney Centre, the location for ambient sense of place of North Sydney’s 2. A multi-layered trail experience - will be central to the newly developed plaza. the NSPAT, is Sydney’s second largest central public spaces. The policy encourages the incorporating art, architecture, gardens inclusion of art and artists as a valuable and The NSPAT is intended to be a subset of the business district, home to a diverse range and views implicit part of North Sydney’s civic planning, public art experience throughout the LGA, of commercial activities, including service, design and development processes, and those 3. Activation of Milsons Point Foreshore, as a more intense experience, achieved in a property, communications and financial of its commercial and business sector. Brett Whiteley Place and the Education comfortable walk with opportunities for rest organisations. It is also home to a rapidly Precinct and refreshment. A draft trail map with 14 expanding residential population. NSC have commissioned a number of public locations was originally proposed by NSC Forecasts predict that by 2016 there will be art projects in the past and they form the with the understanding that the project had over 70,000 people living in the North Sydney basis for a continuing but more sophisticated significant gaps and required a professional local government area, including over 7,000 approach to developing public art for the CBD. review and recommendations. residents in the CBD. In addition, there are Public art, not why, but how: the changing over 17,000 students and 66,000 workers in context of public support the local area. These figures will be boosted Local government is at the forefront of public by the arrival of approximately 3,000 workers art in Australia and has been so for two at 177 Pacific Highway, which is scheduled decades. Understandably, its practice has for completion in 2016. People of all ages developed and matured over that time, where are attracted to North Sydney for its stunning now some of the most impressive public art is harbour setting, its proximity to employment commissioned by local councils. and entertainment options and its variety of open spaces, all of which are accessible via Most local councils now have public art a comprehensive public transport system of policies and public art is recognized as a trains, buses and ferries. critical placemaking tool in urban design. No longer confined to a simplistic social Policy Framework development and community arts agenda, Relevant statutory and planning requirements public art has rightfully become recognized to this engagement are: for its significant contribution in areas such as urban design, tourism, heritage and in • North Sydney Planning Controls: economic development. Development Control Plan 2002 (DCP 2002) This is in line with a sweeping change of attitude across Australia towards the • Relevant accessibility standards importance of high quality public art. It • Relevant Australian Building and sits firmly within arts and cultural policy Construction Standards frameworks at all levels of government. • North Sydney Public Domain Manual • North Sydney Centre - Public Domain Strategy • North Sydney Public Art Policy North Sydney Public Art Trail - Final Report July 2015 5 APPROACH Informed by research and consultation this Integrated report reviews existing trail elements and provides a rationale for additional elements The integration of public art into existing plans for the project’s future development. It of management and strategic programmes, recommends a range of initiatives, with a focussing on ideas for streets, parks, buildings, focus on strategies which are practical and infrastructure, capital works and environmental achievable within a 5 year period. programs, architecture, amenity and sense of place. The review has been guided by: Diverse 1. Cultural tourism objectives; Sourcing the right art for its audience and 2. Prioritising and revitalising the CBD’s context. The mix of art ideas ranges from the urban spaces; temporary to the permanent, the bold, the 3. A requirement for permanent and subtle, the designed and the finely crafted. temporary public art; Our recommendations expand the range of interfaces between art and the wider 4. A need to visually link all elements of the community. trail; and 5. Successful public art trail benchmarks Consultative The success of the project should be based on thorough stakeholder engagement, Our approach in reviewing the NSPAT is best providing the community with a strong sense described by the application of the following of ownership and excitement around its principles: implementation. Innovative Identity Enhancing A successful art trail is really a place making A successful art trail should enhance identity strategy that excites and inspires people and sense of place. The stories, histories through forward thinking and using innovative and future development of North Sydney will ideas from around the world. inform the development of artistic concepts Value Adding which resonate with the area’s cultural identity. Our recommendations for NSPAT are designed to add value to design, architecture, place making and wayfinding. Not art for arts sake but art for all people. It will value add to capital works programmes, cultural planning strategies, tourism and economic development objectives. North Sydney Public Art Trail - Final Report July 2015 6 METHODOLogy The following tasks and stages outline the As identified in the project brief, specific tasks project’s methodology: include: • Explore a range of potential artwork sites Stage 1: Project Review and Site Inspections within the built and natural environment, Review all documentation provided by Council taking into consideration iconic views and on the draft art trail, existing art works located architecture on this trail or nearby (as part of the trail), • Documentation of potential key public proposed sites, public domain manual, public art sites art policy and relevant public art guidelines. • Consider the diverse range of visual Stage 2: Consultation art forms now applied to public Consult with relevant stakeholders to update, settings, including new media and new engage and elicit feedback about the NSPAT. technologies Such consultation will be undertaken in the • Recommend a range of artworks from form of meetings and include the project the temporary to the permanent, as well control group, councillors and appropriate as a strategic approach to implementing private building owners. projects in the short, medium and long Stage 3: Draft Report term Incorporating the project elements of • Consider industry standards and be the brief, project research, detailed site benchmarked against other similar investigation and feedback from internal (and projects relevant external) consultation, prepare a recommended and revised public art trail. Stage 4: Final Report Incorporating the project elements of the brief, project research, detailed site investigation and feedback from internal (and relevant external) consultation, delivery of a final report detailing a recommended and revised trail. North Sydney Public Art Trail - Final Report July 2015 7 SWOT ANALYSIS S T R E N G T H S W E A K N E S S E S Number of public artworks Lack of contemporary/high profile artworks Accessibility/mobility issues in some areas of the trail Complimentary landscape treatment for existing artworks Council public artwork procurement process requires updating to meet industry standards Temporary