"We have also made this decision to notify the consent in order to address some of the misinformation and speculation that we have seen reported in recent weeks," she said.
Ms Cooper said the standard process for receiving an application from one of council's 'family' of organisations, in this case(Waterfront Auckland,was followed, which included referring the application to the Hearings Committee.
The three-member committee recommended public notification, saying Queens Wharf is of public interest through its registration as a Category 1 Historic Place and it established greater certainty for the applicant as well as other parties with a wider public interest.
The application is likely to be notified in the next week or so. There is a 20 working day submission period followed by public hearings before an independent panel.
The sculpture, based on a modest Mt Eden state house, measures 6.3m by 8.3m and is 6.7m high.
The artwork, by Maori artist Michael Parekowhai, has impressed art critics, but attracted widespread public criticism.
It is being funded by a $1 million donation by real estate firm Barfoot & Thompson and other private donors.
The decision was welcomed by councillors Mike Lee and Chris Darby, who have pushed for public notification.
Mr Lee said he hoped it signalled a genuine change of attitude by council and the public's aspirations and sense of ownership of the waterfront would be taken more seriously from now on.
Mr Darby said the council was acting like the good citizens it asked others to be.
"The notification though does not limit feedback to location only as suggested and neither is it made because of misinformation and speculation.
"The Resource Management Act allows for wide-ranging input and because the artwork is a structure it will be subject to broad tests," Mr Darby said.
He said Michael Parekowhai is undeniably an outstanding internationally recognised contemporary artist and his work has always drawn debate.
"It's pointless trying to hide from that debate," Mr Darby said.
