Perth Voice Interactive

STIRLING council has backed down from a plan to scrap a policy that requires big developers to spend money on public art.

The council’s Public Art on Private Land Policy is less than a year old, and is similar to those at other municipalities that require developers of big projects to spend an additional 1 per cent of the cost on public art to beautify the area.

In August mayor Mark Irwin proposed a 12-month moratorium on the art policy, along with pausing similar rules requiring developers to spend money on public open space and on upgrading laneways when building adjacent to them. 

Mr Irwin’s written justification for the removal said: “The current market conditions have resulted in a number of developments being placed on hold or cancelled as they are no longer feasible to construct. 

“This is making the delivery of housing and other development in the city increasingly difficult. 

“In order to assist the industry, it is considered appropriate that any additional costs that a development is required to pay are reviewed and placed on hold temporarily.”

Stirling staff investigated the polices, and at December’s meeting recommended the art contribution as the only one councillors should scrap.

The idea caused consternation in the art world, with public art consultant Helen Curtis urging the council to give the policy more of a chance. She also questioned whether any developments had truly been stalled by the impost, given the many art-incorporating projects going full-steam ahead elsewhere in the state (“Report into art scheme stall,” Voice, August 26). 

At the December 5 meeting where councillors were to make the final call, ratepayer Roland Hadley said “this is not a good image for you, Mr Mayor. What benefit for the City’s ratepayers, we ask? 

“The existing policies for building within the City of Stirling remain and developers should accept this.

“Which poverty-stricken developers are in need of urgent financial relief?”

Mr Irwin said he no longer supported revoking the policy, and recommended council “note” the staff review and take no further action. His colleagues agreed, and the policy remains for now.

The policy came into effect in January 2023, but didn’t apply to applications lodged before that date, and only applies to larger multi-dwelling developments worth more than $2 million.

So far there’s only been one eligible project subject to an art contribution policy, and the staff report states that “to date, no public art has been delivered through the development process”.

by DAVID BELL