By ANEEKA SIMONIS
UP TO $80,000 in ratepayer money will be spent on two art works for Main Street in Pakenham.
Council hopes it will bring new life to the town centre, but others think it’s a waste of money.
However, Sandra Patten from Pakenham Showcase Jewellers has resigned to the fact that the art installation will happen, and wants traders to get on board with the idea.
“It’s going to be spent on us whether we like it or not, so let’s give some options,” she said.
Frustrated with the lack of community input into the proposal, Ms Patten took to the street to gauge the feel – and pick up some suggestions – for the art installation.
“I get negative reactions like, “Why are we spending $80, 000 on art in Main Street when it could be better spent fixing footpaths?”. But it’s been delegated to us,” she said.
Council’s cultural development officer Jadah Pleiter said Central Ward councillors were tasked with finding the best spot for the art – and Main Street was deemed a clear front runner as it was most “in need of public art and deserving of investment of public art.”
She said the community were given over a month to make submissions – and the majority had been positive.
“The community were contacted through social media, email, flyers, phone and face to face opportunities. To date, feedback has been very positive and many traders are excited to see the project take shape and are interested to be involved in the process,” Ms Pleiter said.
Ms Patten’s suggestions to date include a racehorse to touch on Pakenham’s strong racing history, a replica of the well-known Federation Oak tree in Main Street, or a cow to represent the region’s dairy industry.
While the designs are still up in the air, the artists tasked with creating the $80,000 rate payer-funded works have been whittled down to three.
The three artists Julie Squires, David Hislop and Col Henry in the running are not from Cardinia Shire. Council, however, said they had no expressions of interest from residents.
The works are due to be installed between the John Street and Station Street roundabout sometime next year.
Submissions closed on Sunday 29 May.
