by Madelaine Wong –
A councillor who has objected to a proposed COVID-19 sculpture and festival is questioning Northern Beaches Council’s support for the arts after it removed a painted tribute of the Australian flag from a road in Freshwater.
A councillor who is opposing a proposed $100,000 coronavirus art tribute has questioned the council’s support for the arts community after a painting of the Australian flag was removed from a road.
A Freshwater resident painted the flag after being inspired by the community’s spirit on Anzac Day with hopes it would “cheer up” the community amid job loss and struggle during the pandemic.
Cr Pat Daley said he planned to address the “outrageous” matter tonight as councillors debate the need for a COVID-19 art sculpture, which is subject to a rescission motion.
Cr Penny Philpott said her idea for the sculpture and quasi arts festival was aimed at supporting the local arts community, who were not getting government support.
“Council wants to spend $100,000 on creating a COVID-19 monument and spend rate payers money doing this while we’re facing hard economic times, yet when someone has spent their own time and money to create a patriotic flag, they remove it,” Cr Daley said.
“It was an example of unity and friendship between neighbours that had evolved over the lockdown, you’d think discretion could be used. This is not graffiti, it’s our Australian flag.
“Locals want to put this back on the road and don’t want to spend rate payers money which is what is being proposed with the COVID-19-statue. I will be doing everything I possibly can to make sure this road art is restored.”
The carpenter who painted the Australian flag on the corner of Wyandra St and Loch St said he was “devastated” when workers came to remove it.
“There’s been a lot of disappointment because it made people happy, families would take photos with it,” Jason Nelson said.
“I didn’t know who to speak to when it was removed so my friend who was devastated contacted a councillor.
“It’s not graffiti, it’s the national flag. I’m surprised someone complained about it.”
Mr Nelson said he would paint the flag late at night so cars wouldn’t be running over it.
“I would love to have the flag back. Since it was removed so many people have come up to me saying how disappointed they were with the council. Seven neighbours walked past in disgust when it was being removed.”
Northern Beaches Council stated it has a strong commitment to public art but it had received a complaint about graffiti on May 28.
“Council is a big supporter of public art, and even graffiti when it’s done on sanctioned graffiti walls, but must consider the safety of our community first and ensure we operate within the law,” a Northern Beaches Council spokeswoman said.
The council adopted a Public Art Policy in May 2019 and the Northern Beaches Coast Walk Public Art Strategy, naming 20 sites for public art.
The Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance, on Tuesday criticised, the council’s proposal on the COVID-19 art tribute.
“Many businesses remain closed, some never to reopen. Over half a million Australians have lost their jobs. Over 3.5 million people are depending on JobKeeper, 1.3 million on JobSeeker. Putting up expensive artwork should be Australia’s last priority,” director of policy Emilie Dye said.
“If artists wish to create and sell COVID-19 related artwork, that is their prerogative. If wealthy individuals want to spend money on that art, they can. Taxpayers, however, do not have the means to spend on luxury memorials while they still struggle to get through this global upheaval.”
The proposed art work was to be debated by councillors on Tuesday night.
– The Manly Daily