Surfers Paradise silver ferns: Why they couldn’t be placed beside beach

A controversial silver fern sculpture which cost council hundreds of thousands of dollars has been left languishing in storage. And there’s a very simple reason why.

The location initially proposed for the ferns was the intersection of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Elkorn Avenue.

A controversial New Zealand-style silver fern art installation, to be brought out of storage by council, will need a yearly polish and twice yearly clean at a hidden cost to ratepayers.

One of the reasons for the ferns not being placed so close to the beach at Surfers Paradise – where they were originally intended – is the fear they might deteriorate from salt spray, the Bulletin can reveal.

A report to council details a funding deed where in December, 2013, the State Government granted $750,000 to council for urban design and “landscaping enhancements” across the first stage of the city’s light rail corridor.

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The silver ferns sculpture originally planned for Surfers Paradise.

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The original location for the public art commission — created by Irish artist Alex Pentek and approved by a majority of councillors — was the intersection of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Elkorn Avenue in Surfers Paradise.

“However, investigations concluded that this site was no longer considered feasible due to the location of underground services,” the council report said.

A second location was approved at the intersection of the Esplanade and Elkorn Avenue before councillors at a special budget meeting in June 2018 voted on a feasibility study on the Regional Botanical Gardens at Ashmore.

Councillors have discussed the controversial item — $330,000 of its total budget is due to capital works costs — behind closed doors but the council report confirms they received legal advice which showed they could move the installation.

But the Botanical Gardens investigation found there would be more suitable sites on the light rail corridor.

The silver ferns art work originally planned for Surfers Paradise.

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However the ferns could not be placed “within 500m of sea spray to comply with the maintenance regime”.

“There is concern with the wind noise tunnelling through the fine cut-out points on each leaf,” the council report added.

The investigation then considered a proposed “landscaping upgrade and Plaza” which the Bulletin understands is located at Nobby Beach. More specialists gave advice.

Investigators found the soils were similar to the original site and “it complies with advice from the stainless steel specialist”.

The sculpture, titled Urban Oasis, was created by artist Alex Pentek.

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Early underground surveying showed there would be no conflicts with the placement or additional strengthening work required due to wind loading.

The art work was expected to have a “useful life” of 30 years but it would need an annual polish and bi-annual clean. But those costs were redacted from the report made public.

Veteran Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow, who has opposed the installation, said this was the third location being considered for the ferns for a cost of up to $500,000.

“I was concerned from day one. It’s a New Zealand emblem from an artist in Cork in Ireland,” Councillor Crichlow said.

“It was short listed by the arts committee — they were the ones who chose the art installation, the lights at Yatala. We were shown them (designs) in the councillors’ lounge.”

Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow has opposed the silver ferns from the start of the funding saga.

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Cr Crichlow recalls speaking to area councillor Gary Baildon, who was not supportive of the art works in Surfers Paradise.

“The next minute the vote was taken (in the council chamber) and there were ten or so hands which went up,” she said.

“I don’t know whether the State would be happy (about where their money has been spent). They’ve been in storage. Now they’re travelling for a third time.”

The timing of the installation will depend on a funding deal between the Federal and State governments along with council with the section of light rail due to be completed by 2023.