At Tuesday night’s meeting, Kiama councillors endorsed the council’s new public art policy and implementation guide. 

Kiama council’s director of community services Clare Rogers said there had been an increased interest in public art within the Kiama municipality in recent years.

“Until now there has been little to guide council in its decision-making about what may be appropriate, where it may be appropriate, and how decisions might be made,’’ Ms Rogers said.

“The policy – and the implementation guidelines that accompany it - will guide council about how to think about public art, what its purpose is and how to engage with the community to ensure everyone is happy with the types of public art installations.

“It also looks at private art developments and the potential to engage with private developers who may want to include public art installations in their developments.”

The policy provides a framework and principles, by which Kiama council will commission, procure, approve, manage, coordinate and preserve public art.

Ms Rogers said last year Kiama council made a large investment in a Bert Flugelman sculpture.

The $20,000 sculpture called Making Waves was purchased by council in March.

The late Dr Flugelman is one of Australia’s most celebrated public sculptors.

After a long consultation process Storm Bay was selected as the site where the sculpture will be installed. 

It is an original stainless steel work approximately 2.5 metres high and two metres wide, and has a ‘scratched’, highly polished finish representing the waves and action of the sea environment.

“The Flugelman sculpture was a significant purchase for the council and this is why it is important to have policies and guidelines for public art in place for the future,” Ms Rogers said.