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Baw Baw Shire Council adopts new public and civic art policies to guide future stewardship

Baw Baw Shire has adopted new Public Art and Civic Art Collection policies to guide stewardship, expand public access and preserve more than 320 artworks for community enjoyment.

By news@gippsland - 24th June 2026 - Back to News

Council has endorsed two new policies that establish a clear framework for the strategic management and best-practice stewardship of council’s public artworks and civic art collection. A revised Public Art Policy has been developed to replace the existing 2019 policy, providing a framework to the creation, acquisition, care and future management of public artworks such as sculptures, murals and digital works. There are currently over 200 public artworks across the Shire.

Three Kurnai Women by Jessie McLennan, Rebecca Van Dyk, and Grace Rose Hamilton located in Drouin’s Civic Park

Art policy principles

The policy seeks to benefit the community by championing the following principles:

• Community-driven and inclusive
• Diverse and representative
• Accessible and engaging
• High-quality and curated
• Supporting arts communities
• Educational and enriching
• Purposeful and aligned
• Place-based and locally relevant
• Dynamic and evolving
• Sustainable and responsible
• Public facing with easily accessible information

A new Civic Art Collection Policy has been developed to provide a framework around management of artworks such as paintings, prints, ceramics, tapestries, mosaics and small-scale sculptures commissioned by, gifted to or acquired by council.

There are currently 122 artworks in the council's civic art collection from local, national and international artists, some of which are displayed at the West Gippsland Arts Centre and other council facilities, with others secured in storage. Over the lifespan of this policy, the aim is to increase the display of these works in civic spaces such as libraries, community hubs, customer service centres, and other publicly accessible facilities, ensuring the collection is widely available for the community to experience and enjoy.

The Neerim Bower by Christine Cochran, Phil Henshall and Keith Graham located at the gateway to Neerim South

Art policies strengthen

Deputy Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Councillor Suzanne Allen said both policies would strengthen the role of public and civic art in community life. "Baw Baw Shire has always been a vibrant creative community with a rich cultural history and an evolving character. We are fortunate to be home to many talented artists whose contributions have enriched both our public art and civic art collections."

"Through community consultation, we heard strong community support for art along with a desire to do more to celebrate local stories and enhance our public spaces. Together, these policies provide a clear framework for the care, management and stewardship of our artworks, ensuring their cultural significance and community value are preserved for current and future generations," said the Deputy Mayor.

Art policy commitment

Cr Allen said, "Looking forward, we will continue to seek meaningful opportunities to expand and enhance our collections, bringing more artworks into shared spaces that reflect our culture, history, heritage and values. We’re proud to present these policies to the community and reaffirm our commitment to the vital role that art plays in creating vibrant, connected and inclusive places," said the Deputy Mayor.

Both policies set out to support the overall Council Plan and have been prepared in line with best practices and community consultation and feedback during 2025-2026. For more information, please visit Public Art in Baw Baw Shire Council website.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• East Gippsland simplifies footpath permit fees, reducing costs for businesses while supporting safe, vibrant, accessible town centres
  East Gippsland Shire Council has introduced a simplified, tiered Goods on Footpath permit fee structure, reducing costs for many businesses while supporting vibrant town centres and maintaining safe, accessible public spaces.
• Flight test command centre opens, strengthening Latrobe's role in Australia's advanced aviation innovation sector and creating new opportunities
  Latrobe's new Flight Test Range Command Centre has opened at Latrobe Regional Airport, supporting advanced aviation research, drone technology, investment, manufacturing growth and skilled jobs across the region.
• Cowes Freedom of Entry Parade marks 125 years of Australia's Commonwealth Naval Forces and naval service tradition parade on 7 August 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council invites the community to Cowes' Freedom of Entry Parade on August 7, celebrating 125 years of Australia's naval heritage with HMAS Cape Woolamai personnel and the Royal Australian Navy Band.
• Draft Omeo District Place Plan released for after 10 months of consultation for final community feedback until 2 October 2026
  East Gippsland Shire Council has released the draft Omeo District Place Plan for feedback, prioritising health, education, housing, employment, social connection, environmental care and emergency preparedness. Submissions close October 2.
• Coastal erosion forces indefinite closure of Kilcunda Rail Trail section for safety from 26 August 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council will close a Kilcunda Rail Trail section indefinitely from August 26 after severe erosion washed away two metres of dune, threatening trail safety.
• Marlo's Healeys road timber bridge to be replaced with stronger steel structure built for 100 years
  East Gippsland Shire Council will replace Marlo’s ageing Healeys Road timber bridge with a $642,780 steel structure, improving safety, access, load capacity and long-term reliability for local users.
• Melina Bath condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, with Victoria recording nearly twice New South Wales' victims
  Melina Bath has condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, citing Victoria's high theft rate and major increases across eastern Victoria, while calling for more police, stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing.
• Have your say on the Planning Scheme Amendment C161egip - Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (Revised) to unlock growth until 21 September 2026
  East Gippsland Shire Council is simplifying planning controls in Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area, aiming to unlock housing growth, reduce red tape and support development over the next 30-plus years.
• Working together to secure East Gippsland's water future through integrated water management
  East Gippsland CMA and regional partners are collaborating through Integrated Water Management to address climate, flooding, population growth, stormwater, recycled water and wetland protection challenges while planning sustainable projects.
• Morwell CBD double-storey car park set to deliver more than 120 additional free parking spaces soon
  Preparation works have begun for Morwell’s new double-storey CBD car park, expected to start construction in October, adding more than 120 free spaces and completing Latrobe City’s Regional Car Parks Fund projects.
• Sale residents urged to safely dispose of hazardous household chemicals at free Detox Your Home event on 10 October 2026
  Wellington Shire residents can safely dispose of unwanted hazardous household chemicals at a free Detox Your Home event in Sale, helping protect waterways, people, animals and the environment.
• The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses.
• Flight Test Range Command Centre opens at Latrobe Airport, boosting Gippsland's drone and aerospace industries and economic diversification
  A new Flight Test Range Command Centre at Latrobe Regional Airport will support drone and aerospace innovation, attract investment and create jobs across Gippsland's emerging Advanced Air Mobility sector.
• Gippsland Water's people's panel brings 50 customers together to help shape future plans and pricing priorities for the region
  Gippsland Water's People's Panel has brought together 50 randomly selected customers to help shape future plans and make recommendations influencing the corporation's 2028-33 Price Submission.
• Community planting day advances Blue Rock Lake foreshore restoration and native fish habitat
  Students, Landcare volunteers and partner organisations have planted native vegetation at Blue Rock Lake, building on fish habitat projects and erosion-control works to strengthen the shoreline and support wildlife.