The Blue Mile could be home to a new work of art.
Wollongong City Council staff will prepare a report for councillors on the feasibility of setting up an art award for the city.
Councillors gave in principle support to Leigh Colacino's motion calling for the council to investigate establishing an annual sculpture award, which he proposed would carry a $70,000 purse.
However, they agreed the staff should consider whether the competition could involve other forms of public art, instead of, or as well as, sculptures.
Chris Connor said he would like to see the investigation move forward in conjunction with his previous idea to have sculptures built at key tourist points in the city to house love locks.
David Brown announced his preference for wall murals, akin to those recently painted throughout the city, but said he supported Cr Colacino's proposal.
Michelle Blicavs, who voted against a similar motion at the December 10 meeting, said she would support it this time.
"I think this has tourism opportunities; it has the potential to put us on a global [map]," she said.
"We need to put Wollongong on the global radar for different reasons than we're [currently] known for."
Vicki Curran called for any competition to be considered as part of wider cultural strategy for the city.
She also objected to plans to have the artworks located solely around the Wollongong CBD, saying outlying areas including the Windang foreshore park could do with such artworks to boost their respective visitor numbers.