Senior art history lecturer Neill Overton criticised the anti-art movement as “knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing”. However, he also pointed a finger at the art community, questioning the “blind faith value of culture”.

“If we keep referring to art as if it is some high-culture teaspoon of castor-oil that is somehow meant to be good for us, then it is no wonder the mind of the public snaps shut like a rusty rabbit-trap,” Dr Overton said.

“The case can be made in purely financial terms that public art boosts tourism and visitor experience to Wagga. This is economic enhancement of the city’s tourism capacity – not some vague appeal to culture – which adds to Wagga’s identity and character; all of which are marketable towards tourism strategies at a national level.”

Public artwork had one task, Dr Overton said, which was to rejuvenate otherwise dormant spaces and add value to people’s lives.

Council’s decision to invite feedback on its public art policy saw old flames rekindled, with many questioning the need for “frivolous” spending when there were concrete needs such as road repairs and community projects.

North Wagga resident Austin Gregor said he though public art was a good thing, but not when it was at the expense of other projects.

“If a car doesn’t run right and it has niggling problems and you’ve got the choice of buying mag wheels to make it look flash or repairing it to make it reliable, what would you do?” Mr Gregor said.

“I’d be really curious to find out if ratepayers had a choice of spending on this, that or the other, what would they pick?

“Public art, road maintenance and community grants all have a value in different ways, they’ve all got their pros and cons, but I reckon roads would go first and public art last.”

Dr Overton said it wasn’t about a simple competition for funds.

“Council needs to meet all these needs,” he said. “Wagga’s architecture, library, art gallery, museum, theatre, sport, music and its public art profile are all part of our culture.”

Anyone who wanted to have a say on the public art policy needed to register on the Your Say Wagga website, which Mr Gregor said could go a long way to ending the debate.

“There are always three groups on this kind of thing, those who think it’s great, those who think it’s ridiculous and those who had no idea about it,” he said.

“Council can then say they asked the public, but they can’t go and then do something out of left field.”

Find out more by visiting www.yoursaywagga.com.au/peoples-panel.