Planning a development over $10M in Sydney? You'll likely need a Public Art Plan.
Requirements vary significantly by council—from Burwood's strict 1% mandate to Hornsby's 4% levy in the Town Centre. The so-called "1% Public Art Mandate" is actually a patchwork of Development Control Plans, Voluntary Planning Agreements, and infrastructure levies that differs across every LGA.
This guide covers when you need a plan, what to include, and how to avoid common delays.
When Is a Public Art Plan Required?
Three triggers activate public art requirements across Sydney councils:
- CIV threshold — Most commonly $10M+ (City of Sydney, Burwood). Some councils set higher thresholds for areas outside town centres.
- Significant public space — Plazas, through-site links, publicly accessible foyers, and Master Plan sites typically trigger requirements regardless of CIV.
- Planning uplift — Height or FSR increases negotiated via VPA often require public art as a "public benefit" in exchange for the uplift.
Important: Requirements are not uniform across Sydney. Burwood mandates a minimum 1% in the DCP. Parramatta negotiates via VPA. Inner West pools S7.12 levies for council-delivered programs like "Perfect Match." Always check the specific council's DCP and contributions plan.
Sydney Council Public Art Requirements
| Council | Trigger/Threshold | Rate | Delivery Method | Key Policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTRAL SYDNEY | ||||
| City of Sydney | CIV >$10M; significant public space; Master Plan sites | No fixed % (typically ~1% for major sites) | On-site artwork (publicly accessible); Creative Hoardings required | Interim Guidelines (2006); Public Art Policy (2016) |
| Burwood | CIV >$10M (Town Centres); >$20M elsewhere | Minimum 1% of development cost | Integrated on-site or monetary contribution | DCP Section 5.11; Public Art Guidelines |
| Inner West | >$5M (Ashfield precinct); general levy others | Negotiated ~1%; OR 1% S7.12 levy | Council programs (Perfect Match); VPA for major sites | Public Art Policy (Ashfield); Perfect Match Guidelines |
| Canada Bay | Rhodes West DCP; other areas via VPA | Site-specific (no fixed %) | On-site at specified locations (Shoreline Parks, Town Square) | Rhodes West DCP; Our Creative City Cultural Plan 2033 |
| WESTERN SYDNEY | ||||
| Parramatta | DA conditions/VPA (CBD, major sites) | Negotiated via VPA (value-based) | On-site; assessed by Public Art Jury | Public Art Policy (2017); Public Art Guidelines |
| Cumberland | Town centres; employment zones | Negotiated via VPA | On-site or Creative Hoardings | Cumberland DCP 2021; Public Art Policy |
| Canterbury-Bankstown | Major sites; Bankstown/Campsie DCP controls | DCP controls (no fixed %) | On-site; integration into blank walls/foyers; night-time activation focus | DCP 2023; Creative City Strategic Plan |
| Liverpool | City Centre developments | 1% S7.12 levy; VPAs for major sites | Council-commissioned (levy) or VPA on-site | Contributions Plan 2018; Public Art Policy 2025 |
| NORTHERN SYDNEY | ||||
| North Sydney | VPA negotiation (floor space uplift) | Negotiated via VPA | VPA-based; public domain focus | Public Arts Masterplan (draft); VPA Policy |
| Hornsby | Hornsby Town Centre; major sites | Up to 4% S7.12 levy (Town Centre) | Council-delivered (funds Wallarobba Arts Centre) | Hornsby Town Centre S7.12 Plan 2025 |
| Ryde | Macquarie Park; Town Centres | 1% (commercial/industrial); VPA | On-site accessible art; integrated art preferred | Public Art Planning Guide; Ryde DCP 2014 |
| Northern Beaches | Coast Walk; Dee Why Centre | 1% S7.12 levy; VPA for on-site | Council delivers (Coast Walk); on-site encouraged | Public Art Guidelines (2018); Dee Why DCP |
| SOUTH & EAST SYDNEY | ||||
| Randwick | K2K Town Centres; Light Rail corridor | Integrated design requirement | Building integration (facades); Creative Hoardings | Randwick DCP 2013 (Part B15); K2K DCP |
| Bayside | Major developments | Negotiated | On-site; amenity improvement | Public Art Policy (post-2021) |
| GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY | ||||
| Blacktown | Growth Precincts; CBD | S7.11 contributions; VPAs | Integrated into city fabric; Hoardings | Public Art Policy 2014; DCP 2015 |
| Penrith | City Centre; key precincts | 1% S7.12 levy; VPA | Street furniture/domain integration | Penrith DCP 2014 (C8); Public Domain Manual |
Always verify current requirements directly with council—policies are updated regularly.
What to Include in Your Public Art Plan
Preliminary Plan (submitted with DA)
- Site analysis identifying "art opportunity zones" (foyers, facades, plazas, through-site links)
- Artist selection methodology (open competition, limited tender, or direct commission)
- Indicative budget and program
- Demonstration of integration with architectural concept
Detailed Plan (condition of consent, required before CC)
- Final artwork concept with visuals showing form, dimensions, materials, and location
- Engineering certification for structural elements
- Fabrication and installation program integrated with construction schedule
- Maintenance manual and expected lifespan
- Deaccessioning agreement
Final Report (required before OC)
- Evidence installed artwork matches approved Detailed Plan
- As-built documentation
- Maintenance schedule handed to Body Corporate
- Title covenant registration (if required by council)
The Approval Process
| Stage | Timing | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Feasibility | Pre-DA | Regulatory check, budget allocation (typically 1% of CIV) |
| 2. DA Submission | With DA | Preliminary Public Art Plan |
| 3. Detailed Design | Post-consent, pre-CC | Detailed Plan + Advisory Panel review (allow 2-3 months) |
| 4. Fabrication | Construction phase | Artwork manufactured; Creative Hoardings installed if required |
| 5. Handover | Pre-OC | Final Report, maintenance manual, title covenant |
Timeline tip: The Advisory Panel review process can take 2-3 months. Factor this into your construction program to avoid delays to your Construction Certificate.
5 Tips to Avoid Delays
- Check requirements at feasibility stage — not at DA lodgement. A project viable in a "levy-only" LGA may face margin pressure in an LGA requiring bespoke on-site commissioning.
- No "plonk art" — Councils increasingly reject generic sculptures dropped into a space with no connection to the site or architecture. Integrated art that relates to the building and local context is expected.
- Allow fabrication lead time — 3-6 months minimum for sculpture; longer for complex or large-scale works. Coordinate with your construction program early.
- Consider Creative Hoardings — Required in City of Sydney, Parramatta, Cumberland, and Randwick. They deliver immediate community benefit during construction and satisfy initial public art conditions.
- Engage Indigenous stakeholders early — "Connecting with Country" is increasingly expected by consent authorities. Early engagement with Local Aboriginal Land Councils is viewed favourably and can support smoother approvals.
Public Art Plan Checklist
| Before DA | |
| ☐ | Checked council DCP and contributions plan for specific requirements |
| ☐ | Calculated indicative budget (typically 1% of CIV for major sites) |
| ☐ | Engaged Public Art Consultant (recommended for projects >$10M) |
| ☐ | Identified art opportunity zones with architect |
| ☐ | Determined curatorial direction (local history, First Nations, environmental themes) |
| With DA Submission | |
| ☐ | Preliminary Public Art Plan included in DA documentation |
| ☐ | Artist selection methodology defined |
| ☐ | Integration with architectural concept demonstrated |
| Post-Consent (before CC) | |
| ☐ | Artist commissioned through approved selection process |
| ☐ | Detailed Plan submitted to council |
| ☐ | Advisory Panel review completed |
| ☐ | Engineering certification obtained |
| ☐ | Fabrication program coordinated with construction schedule |
| Before OC | |
| ☐ | Artwork installed and verified against approved plan |
| ☐ | Final Report submitted to council |
| ☐ | Maintenance manual provided to Body Corporate |
| ☐ | Title covenant registered (if required) |
Next Steps
Public art requirements vary significantly across Sydney councils. Early engagement with council requirements and a qualified fabricator prevents costly delays and ensures your artwork meets both compliance standards and design aspirations.
The key to success: treat public art as part of your project's architectural DNA from feasibility stage—not as a box to tick before OC.
Di Emme fabricates public art for developments across Sydney.
Contact us early in your project to discuss fabrication timelines, material selection, and installation requirements.