Faster permits likely for public artworks

Auckland sculptors tired of having to chip away at council process before beginning their own works could find consent procedures about to be streamlined.

Auckland City Council officers have been told to finds ways to shorten the process for approving public artworks.

At present, a piece of art such as a sculpture can take more than 12 months from conception to realisation and must conform with local body regulations. The work must adhere to the regulations in laws such as the Building Act, and the site itself must also be checked for its historical, geographical or archaeological significance and approved.

That could lead to lengthy delays - up to three years in the case of public artworks put up at Western Park in Ponsonby Rd - that frustrated everyone involved, said Penny Sefuiva, chairwoman of the city council's arts, culture and recreation subcommittee.

The streamlining can't come soon enough for Auckland City Sculpture Trust development manager Rozelle Edwards.

She said the trust had approached the council in February to see if the consent process for public artworks could be sped up.

Mrs Edwards said the trust had been caught in "an ongoing saga" with the council for approval of "site-specific" artworks.

She cited the case of Waiheke Island sculptor Dennis O'Connor - commissioned to make a piece for Viaduct Harbour Drive.

The consent took six months to arrive. And the consent process does not always end there.

It can take up to another three months while other paperwork is completed, then the piece actually has to be made, Mrs Edwards said.

"It is hard to keep people enthusiastic about their projects when the progress is so small."

It is hoped O'Connor's Viaduct piece will be in place by June.

Council officers are due to submit their ideas on streamlining the process to the arts, culture and recreation subcommittee next month.