UPDATE – HEIDELBERG ARTISTS’ TRAIL – ROUND 1 VICTORY! But there is more to come…..

Dear supporters On Monday 9 April, 2018, Banyule City Council considered the petition to preserve reproductions of famous Heidelberg School art works depicted in signs posted along the Heidelberg Artists’ Trail. Set out below is the recommendation that was passed: “RECOMMENDATION That Council: 1. Receives and notes the petition. 2. Acknowledges that any digital enhancement project involving the Heidelberg Artist Trail will be a long term, multi-partner project requiring external funding and involving community consultation. 3. Undertake maintenance and conduct repairs to damaged signs located on Council land. 4. Advises the primary petitioner of Council’s resolution.” It is a round 1 win! But there is more work to do… It is disappointing to note that Council did not formally notify me, as the primary petitioner, that the matter was going to be dealt with. On becoming aware of the agenda item and the recommendation, I sought to get an amendment. This would have given voice to the strong community sentiment expressed by residents in Banyule and beyond about the importance of protecting and preserving the existing signposts with the Heidelberg school artworks depicted, by ensuring the following: Amendment sought: “Banyule Council agrees that any external or other sources of funding be prioritized for the maintenance and upkeep of the signs in the first instance as opposed to any digital enhancement of the trail.” On initially contacting four Councillors including the Mayor, Councillors Melican and Phillips expressed support for this amendment. However, the end result shows that the remaining Councillors did not support the amendment, which is evident by the resultant recommendation going through without the amendment. This is a lost opportunity for Banyule City Council to not only honour the important cultural heritage of this project, but to also respect the wishes of the local and broader community by ensuring the upkeep and maintenance of signs along the trail as a first priority. What’s next? Please stay tuned for more developments as they come to hand. Sources of funding will need to be sought to ensure the Artists’ trail stands the test of time, and I look forward to future announcements on this. Additionally, it is hoped that extensive community consultation and engagement with the broader community will occur to ensure that this important cultural and historic trail can continue to be enjoyed by not only residents, but by visitors to Banyule and other municipalities who traverse the length of the trail to admire the famous and revered reproductions of the famous Heidelberg School Artists. Yours in community Sonja