M12 new artwork ‘Giant Emu’ could be better spent on fixing country roads, say critics

A giant “Emu In The Sky” sculpture worth $7 million, to be built in Western Sydney alongside a new motorway near the second airport, has drawn mixed reactions.

A $7m sculpture dubbed the Giant Emu In The Sky to be built alongside a new motorway in Western Sydney has been ­labelled an “outrageous” waste of taxpayer money.

Millions of dollars are being spent on public art as part of the $12 billion M12 dual carriage motorway on the way to the new airport in Western Sydney.

This includes a “landmark” emu that will be lit up at night and visible to plane passengers.

The artwork – inspired by a “Great Emu in the Sky: Constellation” story – is currently on public consultation.

The scale of the 30 metre high "Great Emu In The Sky" artwork is huge.

Noted artist Tim Storrier ­describes the 30m-high metallic structure as a “rather impressive and delicate work of art”, but One Nation MP Mark Latham said it looked like a “squiggle” or “platypus” in a nest and he has questioned the taxpayer spend.

Mr Latham has launched a parliamentary order for papers over the expenditure around the project.

“It’s just an outrageous waste of money,” Mr Latham said.

“There are roads in country NSW that aren’t even sealed and riddled with potholes and transport facilities that are substandard.”

NSW One Nation Leader and Upper House MP Mark Latham. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Why do we need a $7m thing that looks like a platypus or squiggle in a nest – thinking somehow that people flying into Sydney are going to be excited to see it.”

Government documents state: “The emu is a Darug Community motif representing the sacred creation story of the Great Emu constellation.”

The documents reveal extensive consultations were conducted with the Western Sydney Parklands Trust, Heritage NSW, community members and affected landowners.