Mackay’s controversial $35,000 riverfront art revamp begins
UPDATE 4PM: CHANGE is coming for a pair of controversial spiky balls on Mackay's riverside.
Mackay Regional Council said artist Donna Marcus had redesigned the True North sculptures on Matsuura Dr, eight years after they were erected.
The council said Marcus was refreshing the artwork by removing the red plastic from one of the designs.
It said the smaller "buoy" has been removed and will be remade with white plastic.
The council said the poles would also be repainted in white.
It said metal elements in the larger spiky ball would be replaced, but the plastic would be allowed to fade.
"(It will) create an effective contrast between the two elements and generate a new, enhanced interpretation of the works," the council said.
The council said the upgrades would still cost $35,000 and were expected to be completed in January.
INITIAL: TWO pink spiky balls are being removed from Mackay's skyline in a controversial artwork revamp in the city heart.
Stainless Aesthetics has removed one of the True North artworks on Monday as part of the $35,000 revamp of the plastic balls.
Mackay Regional Council discussed the fate of the faded artworks beginning in August, when councillors were split over whether to fix the two balls, or tear them down.
Artspace Mackay director Tracey Heathwood said the degraded condition of the artworks was harming the reputation of the artist, Donna Marcus, and Artspace Mackay.
The council voted to replace the balls, despite dissent from councillors Martin Bella, Alison Jones, and Laurence Bonaventura.
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The latest Visual Arts Advisory Committee report said the works were expected to be completed by the end of December.
"Some of the work will be carried out on site which will be good for the community to see," it said.
The committee discussed including a new sign and explanation for the refreshed artwork.
The replacement was funded via the 2020-21 COVID Works for Queensland program.
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