INSIDE: SPRING JAM IN PICTURES, PET OF THE WEEK + MORE
Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 2019
Issue No: 266
Weekly information from us to you Arthur Wicks creation propels historic bridge site into future
BACK AT HOME: Renowned Wagga artist Arthur Wicks beams with pride after witnessing his iconic propeller return to place along the Murrumbidgee River.
One of Wagga Wagga’s most iconic public artworks has regained its pride of place alongside the Murrumbidgee River. The propeller-topped sculpture, titled Event on the Riverbank towards the End of the Twentieth Century, was first installed beside the footings of the Hampden Bridge in 1996. Six metres high and four metres wide, the Arthur Wicks-creation quickly became one of the city’s most iconic large-scale artworks. “I always had an interest in rotators and propeller-like objects. I was hoping this [sculpture] would be more aerodynamic,” Mr Wicks said. In a 1997 interview with the Sun Herald, the acclaimed Wagga Wagga artist described his sculpture as “like something out of Mad Max”. “It’s like a helicopter, or a dragonfly, or a wounded bird, a pterodactyl-like thing that’s crash-landed here,” Mr Wicks declared at the time. Decades after its installation, Mr Wicks was back at the historic site to oversee Wagga Wagga City Council staff give the artwork a new lease on life. “I have cleaned the fibreglass propeller with a high-speed steel brush and revarnished the entire piece," Mr Wicks said The propeller, though awkward to move, isn’t overly heavy, is made of steel and fibreglass. As part of the maintenance work, timed to coincide with the Hampden Bridge Legacy Project, the towering steel structure beneath the propeller also received a much-deserved overall clean.
“We also had some minor repairs carried out to the footings and a weatherproof coating was applied to the structure,” Council Cultural Officer Tim Kurylowicz said. Under the artist’s direction, Council staff replaced a part of the artwork that went missing long ago. “There are three wheels at the bottom (of the artwork) … two bigger wheels and a small one,” Mr Wicks said. “We had to replace the little wheel because it was broken off.” The propeller restoration is part of Council’s ongoing maintenance program of the city’s many public artworks. “We maintain around 50 artworks and sculptures across the city,” Mr Kurylowicz said. “Each year they are inspected, and we prioritise the needs for cleaning, maintenance and repairs. “It’s been a great opportunity to work alongside Arthur Wicks who is a renowned living artist who still resides locally to restore his original vision for the work. “Here’s an artist whose machine sculptures are in the collections of major galleries around Australia and the world - here in Wagga Wagga we have one of his biggest works in a public park for locals and visitors to the City to enjoy and engage with yearround.” Visit publicartwagga.com.au to view the city’s entire collection and discover more about the history and location of each artwork in the City’s public art collection.
Community invited to open new link The finishing touches to the first link in Wagga Wagga’s new 45km cycling network are being rolled out in preparation for next week’s official opening.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM will hop aboard a bicycle and test out the new Levee Link to mark the grand opening of this section on Thursday 10 October. The Levee Link is the first section of the Commuter Cycle Network to be completed as part of Wagga Wagga City Council’s
$12.8M Active Travel Plan. It stretches from the Wiradjuri Bridge to Wagga Beach and is the first of 10 routes of high-quality cycle paths to criss-cross the city, providing residents with a safe, alternate transport option. Cr Conkey said the Commuter Cycling Network will enhance the liveability of the city, while also serving as a new attraction for visitors looking to embrace a different recreational activity. “Council is committed to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle,” Cr Conkey said. “A facility such as the cycling network will add to the liveability and accessibility of our city. “This is the largest cycling infrastructure
project taking place in NSW at the moment. It’s a huge boost for Wagga and to see the first link opened is a great step forward in a very worthwhile project. “I can see so many people benefiting from this cycle network – local residents and visitors alike – it’s a fantastic initiative which is a great addition to the city.” In addition to the 45km of cycleways which will link residential parts of Wagga Wagga with the CBD and Charles Sturt University, the project will also provide end-of-ride facilities at two CBD locations, including bicycle parking and amenities. The opening of the Levee Link will soon be followed by the completion of the Red Hill Link in the western section of the cycleway.
Weekly waste tip Avoid missing your bin collection by ensuring that you place the correct bins on the kerbside before 6am on your day of service.
“Construction of the Red Hill Link has started and is progressing well,” Council’s Director Commercial Operations Caroline Angel said. “Council will have a rolling delivery program of the different links over the next 18 months.” The Active Travel Plan is expected to be completed in 2021. The opening on Thursday 10 October is set to take place around 12 noon with a community event and barbecue. It will take place at the levee bank at the intersection of Fitzmaurice and Crampton streets, near the Hampden Bridge Legacy Project area.