Decision details

Cloud Arch Public Artwork – Safety, Cost and Transparency 

Moved by Councillor Phelps, seconded by Councillor Forster –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          the extensive conditions of consent placed upon the Cloud Arch public artwork (D/2017/1652) by the Local Planning Panel due to unresolved planning concerns relating to safety, including:

(a)        pedestrian head clearance;

(b)        measures to prevent pedestrians going too close to the structure; and

(c)         the developed kinematic envelope (DKE) offset distance between the Light Rail site and the footing of the structure to ensure drivers have a safe line-of-sight; and

(ii)         that a significant design aspect of the Cloud Arch, the proposed illumination of the artwork through embedded street lights, flood lighting and light poles, must now be addressed in a separate development approval due to the magnitude of unanswered questions, including:

(a)        the number, location and height of lighting poles required to illuminate the structure;

(b)        the energy source of the lighting, noting that a recent report states it will “not [be] suited to solar power”; and

(c)         that currently “the proposed spot lighting is likely to produce an unacceptable amount of waste light that will spill into the night sky”; and

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)          explore all possible options for a renewable energy source to power the illumination of the artwork to minimise environmental impact;

(ii)         ensure that the development application relating to the illumination of the Cloud Arch be placed on public display for comment prior to a determination being made by the Local Planning Panel or Council staff;

(iii)        publically explain the justification for determination of the DKE, should it be lesser than 2.1m, as proposed by the Sydney Light Rail Urban Domain Reference Group (UDRG) on 21 March 2017; and

(iv)       cancel the Cloud Arch project should costs further increase from the current budgeted amount of $11,300,000.00, noting the original contract estimate of $2,487,780.00 in 2014.

The motion was lost on the following show of hands –

Ayes (4)          Councillors Chung, Forster, Phelps and Vithoulkas

Noes (6)          The Lord Mayor, Councillors Kok, Miller, Scott, Scully and Thalis.

Motion lost.

Extension of Time

During discussion on this matter, pursuant to the provisions of Clause 250(3) of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005, it was –

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Kok -

That Councillor Scully be granted an extension of time to speak on this matter.

Carried unanimously.

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