AFTER a long and fruitless search for the gumnut baby stolen from Stirling Gardens, Perth city council looks likely to shell out $27,000 for a new one.
The bronze bub was nicked around March 23. Whomever made off with it had come prepared, because they had to cut through four “substantial” steel rods fixing the nutty nipper to the concrete.
The council offered a $1000 reward but no luck. Now staff recommend going back to artist Claire Bailey to birth a new gumnut baby, which will cost $27,000 to make and install.
Ms Bailey no longer has the original moulds so the work must be recreated from scratch. This time the council will mount the baby on a cast bronze rock to conceal the rods connecting it to the concrete so it’ll be impossible to cut away without damaging the work. If all goes well and councillors approve, it should be in place by March 2016. Staff hope insurance will cover the cost, minus a $5000 excess.
by DAVID BELL
Perth Voice Interactive 
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