Concerns urban climbers will take on Cloud Arch
SPECIAL measures have been put in place to ensure mischievous Sydneysiders are not able to climb the City of Sydney’s controversial Cloud Arch sculpture following fears for the public’s safety.
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SPECIAL measures have been put in place to ensure mischievous Sydneysiders are not able to climb the City of Sydney’s controversial Cloud Arch sculpture following fears for the public’s safety.
The $11.3 million sculpture — which blew out by $8 million from original costings — was given the final tick of approval by the City’s Local Planning Panel in May.
At 58m tall, Japanese artist Junya Ishigami’s sculpture raised concerns with transport bureaucrats that “urban climbers” could take advantage of the unusual landmark.
Transport for NSW raised concerns “regarding urban climbing and whether there is a need to install security features in this regard,” in its external planning report.
Conditions of consent to prevent pedestrians “going too close to or climbing the structure” were included in the final approval.
The director of City Planning, Development and Transport Graham Jahn will have to sign off on these measures before any construction certificate is issued.
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Despite these measures, a City spokeswoman downplayed the likelihood that anyone would be able to scale the sculpture.
“The structure of Cloud Arch extends upwards from the ground at an angle that will make it extremely hard to climb,” the spokeswoman said.
“A combination of the angle of the structure and its smooth finish, with no opportunity to grip hold, will ensure it is not an invitation to climb.
“Once completed, Cloud Arch will act as a gateway to the pedestrian section of George St, with the light rail passing underneath it.”
The Cloud Arch will likely be in place in mid-2019 before the first light rail heads down George St.
It will take just six weeks to build.