Middleton Beach art on hold

The City of Albany is set to reject building a $5000 entry statement to Middleton Beach at Eyre Park after months of discussion.

The Middleton Beach Group put forward the statement but City officers have recommended it be rejected due to a lack of funding.

It was originally put to the council in May, but was deferred several times.

Executive manager community services Adam Cousins said the Middleton Beach Group had been unsuccessful in securing funding to further the project.

“Officers at the City of Albany have already provided in-kind support to the project through the artwork submission and selection phase, and have also met with the group to assist with support and advice to secure future funding,” he said.

“At this stage, the City of Albany has received no application from the Middleton Beach Group to contribute funding to the project.”

The proposal was deferred in May for further discussion of the proposed location.

“There is a desire for the artwork’s placement to be able to integrate within and complement the broader Middleton Beach precinct and be positioned to connect with future wayfinding and interpretation in the area,” Mr Cousins said.

However, the recommendation before council would allow the proposal to be resubmitted under the Art in the Public Domain Policy, which is being developed. “City officers would work closely with the Middleton Beach Group to ensure the project is consistent with a council endorsed policy and guidelines in relation to public art while also achieving the group’s aim to install a unique entry statement that the community can be proud of and which complements the area,” Mr Cousins said.

Artwork by Sue Codee and Sally Malone has been put forward as the preferred option.