Cloud arch: Clover Moore’s deputy Kerryn Phelps argues against ‘irresponsible’ art
SYDNEY Deputy Lord Mayor Kerryn Phelps has delivered a scathing assessment of Clover Moore’s $11.3 million Cloud Arch sculpture, saying the inflated cost should force the project back to the drawing board.
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SYDNEY Deputy Lord Mayor Kerryn Phelps has delivered a scathing assessment of Clover Moore’s $11.3 million Cloud Arch sculpture, saying the inflated cost should force the project back to the drawing board.
The cost of Cloud Arch has nearly quadrupled from $3.5 million — with Ms Moore blaming the massive blowout on everything from the technical difficulties of building over George St to rising global steel prices.
Dr Phelps, who resigned from Ms Moore’s party in June but remains deputy mayor until October, said even more money will be needed to maintain the 58m, 140-tonne structure once it is built.
She believes City of Sydney should scrap the project and start again, saying: “The artistic concept of Cloud Arch is one thing. A ‘blue sky budget’ is something else.”
Dr Phelps is expected to address her concerns at a full council meeting, where City of Sydney’s 10 councillors will debate the new budget.
“I believe the financially responsible thing to do is for council to go back to the drawing board and put this whole project out to tender again.”
Dr Phelps said the technical difficulties should have been foreseen and “accounted for in the original plan and costing”.
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“The question is whether this particular structure would have been approved in the first place if the costs and technical difficulties had been correctly assessed, or whether a different project might have been decided upon,” she added.
The meeting is expected to approve the new budget for Cloud Arch but the decision could be close and potentially only carried by Ms Moore’s casting vote. A giant, $2.5 million plastic milk crate sculpture planned for Belmore Park will also be scrapped.
Liberal councillors Christine Forster and Craig Chung will vote against Cloud Arch, as will independent Angela Vithoulkas, who said it was “outrageous” that Ms Moore is intent on the project “regardless of the cost and difficulties of construction”.
Labor councillor Linda Scott was undecided ahead of tonight’s meeting and wanted more detail on the project.
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