Northern Beaches artists’ protest over feared cuts on Manly to Palm Beach arts trail
Protesters marched from Manly Town Hall to the beach on Sunday morning in protest of “funding cut threats” to the planned coastal walk arts trail from Manly to Palm Beach.
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Artists with signs lined Manly Beach this morning to protest “funding cut threats” to the planned coastal walk arts trail from Manly to Palm Beach.
A rally was originally planned by Cr Penny Philpott and Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham but after it was “deemed illegal” it was reinvented as a peaceful “social gathering”.
Pictures reveal artists were spaced out using rope between them as they walked from Manly Town Hall to Manly Beach from 11am.
Debate has been mounting over the coastal walk arts trail since the council’s draft budget was placed on public exhibition.
Liberal councillors and independent Vincent De Luca have been arguing for rate freezes and staff pay cuts to ease the burden of coronavirus on ratepayers.
It followed the revelation in May that COVID-19 had cost the council $16m and that a number of infrastructure projects would be postponed due to the financial hit of the pandemic.
Then, a large amount of community members expressed outrage over a sculpture proposed by Cr Philpott which would commemorate COVID-19.
A recision motion is set to be debated on Tuesday night after funding was questioned by Cr Stuart Sprott for two of the sculptures.
Councillor Sprott has launched a bid to cancel artwork the council signed off on in May, which would be on the coastal walkway.
This includes sculptures at McKillop Park in Freshwater ($400,000 to $500,000) and an art work for Robert Dunn Reserve at Mona Vale Headland with a budget of $200,000.
There are 20 sculptures planned for the arts trail, with $2m allocated to the project from the council’s merger savings fund.
“We’re here because we’re trying to save out artwork, our 36km of coastal walk can will contain artworks that will attract people from everywhere, national and international visitors,” Cr Philpott said.
“We’re trying to save those funds from being diverted to somewhere else. We have money that’s already been granted.”
Committee member for the Manly Art Gallery Penny Polkinghorne was one of the protesters.
“I’ve been on the committee for the coastal walk for three or four years and have been working hard to get good quality sculptures,” Ms Polkinghorne said.
“We’ve done a lot of consulting with the community and about 29,000 people responded very favourably to sculptures on the coastal walk so we’re what the community wants and as well as what will enrich everybody.”
Resident and protester Anne-Maria Nicholson said she was “passionate about this cause”.
“Some opponents said they’d rather this be put towards footpaths but did anyone ever come back from Rome and say you should see the footpaths, we want great art,” Ms Nicholson said.
Local architect Mark Baxter held a sign and protested for the arts community.
“Without arts what are we living for? We need to support the arts on the northern beaches,” Mr Baxter said.
Joining him was Nina Burridge.
“I’m a long time resident from Manly and as someone who engages in sculpture I feel the wellbeing that sculpture brings to individuals and the community is amazing and it far outweighs the cost of putting up an art piece,” Ms Burridge said.
“It’s community wellbeing we’re here for in this time for COVID-19 and it’s necessary.”
Protester Patsy Clayton-Fry agreed.
“It’s not just beauty, this is going to be part of the economy and artists have to be paid like anyone else and these last few months they haven’t been paid,” Ms Clayton-Fry said.
“We have sculptures and painters who are amazing.”
Former Lord Mayor of Sydney, and husband of the deputy mayor, Jeremy Bingham did not take part in the protest, but watched in support.
“I think the artists are quite right for contesting. Some councillors want to cut the funding for the artworks on the public walkway,” Mr Bingham said.
“I think that’s shameful, you don’t have to be an artist to enjoy it and all over the world public art is recognised.”
A northern Sydney local working at the markets nearby said the protest got in the way of their customers as he was working at Rita’s Farm pop-up stall at the markets.
Miles Cummins said he lost his job to COVID-19 and was working for Rita’s Farm for the time being.
“Would they be willing to accept a lower price for the art? I think we can have both but it might have to be done for less,” Mr Cummins said.
“If the council don’t have the money the artists have to understand that because we’re going through a tough time right now.
“A lot of people have lost their jobs, just like me.”