Expressions of Interest sought for Public Art Projects

The purpose of this EOI is to identify and support high-quality public art proposals that:

• Are site-specific and culturally relevant
• Demonstrate artistic excellence and professional delivery
• Enhance public amenity, accessibility, and visitation
• Align with Council’s strategic priorities, including place activation, tourism development, and community wellbeing

EOIs are open to:

• Individual artists or artist collectives
• Businesses
• Community groups, schools, and not-for-profit organisations ((must partner with a practising artist)
• Partnerships between artists and organisations

Proposals must be for installation on Council-owned or managed land or include written approval from the private land or asset owner if the site is privately owned and be within the Colac Otway Shire. 

Proposals must be comprehensive, specific, and appropriately presented, addressing the following components:

1. Project Concept and Objectives

• Provide a clear and concise description of the proposed artwork, including its purpose, artistic intent, and anticipated outcomes.
• Include a statement confirming that the proposed artwork is original, and not a replication or reproduction of existing work.
• The proposal must not infringe on any copyright, intellectual property, or moral rights of other artists or creators.

2. Site Plan and Ownership Confirmation

• Identify the proposed location, supported by maps, photographs, or diagrams.
• Confirm land ownership (Council or private).
• If privately owned, provide written approval from the land or asset owner.
• If Council-managed, confirm that the relevant Council Service Manager has been consulted and supports the proposal.

3. Artistic Rationale and Community Relevance

• Explain how the artwork reflects Colac Otway’s cultural, historical, environmental, or social identity.
• Describe any community engagement plans, if applicable.

4. Artist Credentials and Materials

• Include artist CVs, portfolios, and examples of previous work.
• Description of materials to be used, including durability, environmental sustainability, and suitability for the site.
• Council seeks proposals that demonstrate artistic integrity, technical competence, and alignment with public art standards.

5. Budget and Financial Plan

• A detailed and realistic itemised budget.
• Confirmation of funding sources and any co-contributions.
•  Identification of who is responsible for financial management.
•  Contingency planning for budget overruns or unexpected costs.
•  Amount requested from Council, aligned with the overall budget and project scope.

6. Project Delivery and Management

• Identify the delivery team and project manager.
• Outline roles, responsibilities, and relevant experience of key personnel.
• Describe governance or oversight arrangements.

7. Timeline and Milestones

• Provide a clear schedule outlining planning, engagement, fabrication, approvals, and installation phases.

8. Maintenance and Lifecycle Plan

• Detail anticipated maintenance requirements and responsibilities.
• Align with Council’s Asset Management Policy.
• Include expected lifespan of the artwork and decommissioning (e.g. removal) considerations.

9. Public Amenity and Visitation Impact

• Explain how the artwork will improve public space, improve amenities, and support the local visitor economy.
• Preference will be given to works located in high-visibility or strategic locations such as town centres, tourism precincts, or community hubs.

10. Approvals and Supporting Documentation

• Confirm whether planning or heritage permits are required (permits themselves may not be achievable during the EOI stage).
• Provide letters of support from stakeholders, community partners, or collaborators.
• Confirm engagement with relevant Council officers, where applicable.

11. Insurance and Risk Management

• Confirm that the applicant holds appropriate public liability insurance and any other relevant coverage.
• Provide evidence of current insurance coverage upon request or prior to entering into a funding agreement.
• Outline identified risks (e.g. safety, vandalism, structural integrity) and proposed mitigation strategies.

Important Notes

• Businesses are eligible but proposals must not include advertising, branding, or signage. The artwork must be artistic in nature, not promotional.
• Community groups and schools must partner with a practising artist to ensure professional quality.
• Council encourages original, high-quality artistic concepts that contribute meaningfully to public spaces.

Proposals will be assessed by Council’s Public Art Working Group against the following criteria:

• Artistic quality and innovation
• Relevance to Colac Otway Shire’s identity
• Community engagement and impact
• Environmental integration and durability
• Safety and accessibility
• Budget viability and funding strategy
• Maintenance and lifecycle planning
• Contribution to public amenity and visitor economy

Council is committed to a fair and transparent assessment process. All proposals will be reviewed in accordance with the criteria outlined above.

Where proposals lack sufficient detail, Council may contact applicants to request further information. This may include clarification on site ownership, budget accuracy, project feasibility, or delivery arrangements.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit as much detail as possible to support timely assessment and decision-making.

Council reserves the right to adjust the notification timeline to allow adequate time for feasibility assessment and follow-up with applicants. However, the indicative timeline is as follows:

• EOI submission period:       1 December 2025 – 20 March 2026
• Notification of outcomes:    By 30 June 2026
• Project delivery deadline:    All approved projects must be completed by 31 December 2026

Council will notify all applicants of the outcome of their submission. Unsuccessful proposals will be advised formally and may be encouraged to reapply in future rounds.

Council will determine the level of funding allocated to each project based on:

• The quality and feasibility of the proposal
• The level of detail provided in the budget
• Strategic alignment with Council priorities

Detailed budgets are essential to guide funding decisions. Council may offer partial funding rather than full project funding, depending on available resources and the nature of the proposal.

Successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement and/or Creative Contract with Council, outlining:

• Project scope and deliverables
• Roles and responsibilities
• Reporting and acquittal requirements
• Timeframes and milestones

Additional clauses may be included relating to intellectual property, risk management, insurance, and public liability, depending on the nature and scale of the project.

Please submit your proposal via email to:

inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au
Subject line: Public Art EOI – [Your Project Name]
Attention: Manager Economy and Creative Industries

Council encourages applicants to seek guidance prior to submission. Support is available for:

• Understanding the policy and assessment guidelines
• Navigating approvals and permits
• Connecting with potential partners or collaborators

About the Shire

Colac Otway Shire sits in south‑west Victoria within easy reach of major centres—approximately two hours from Melbourne, with Geelong and Ballarat within commuting distance and Warrnambool to the west. The municipality spans volcanic plains, crater lakes, rainforest, and iconic coastline, covering about 3,438 km² with a population of ~21,000–22,000 people. Rail and dual‑highway links make the region highly accessible while retaining its distinct natural character.

What defines the place:

• Northern landscapes of volcanic lakes and undulating plains.
• Southern landscapes of deep, forested Otway valleys and dramatic Great Ocean Road coastline.

These contrasts create a powerful palette for site‑responsive public art and placemaking.

Colac – A Thriving Regional Centre

Colac is the largest township and a lively focal point for commerce, culture, and community life. Sitting on the shores of Lake Colac, the town offers foreshore trails, birdwatching, and places to gather - balanced by a compact town centre with boutique retail, cafes, and essential services. Cultural anchors include COPACC (performing arts, exhibitions), the heritage‑listed Botanic Gardens, and a streetscape with notable historic fabric. Community life is strong - local festivals, sporting clubs, and volunteer networks are part of everyday rhythm.

Artist cues: waterfront identity, lake ecology, botanical heritage, everyday rituals, and the interplay between heritage facades and contemporary life.

Apollo Bay – Coastal Character

Apollo Bay is a seaside town celebrated for sweeping beaches, a working fishing harbour, and relaxed coastal living. Its permanent population (~1,800) expands significantly in peak seasons, bringing a changing energy to main streets, foreshore paths, and hospitality venues. It’s also a launch point into Great Otway National Park’s rainforest walks and waterfalls, where forest meets ocean.

Artist cues: seasonal rhythms, harbour stories, ocean light and weather, forest‑to‑coast transitions, and visitor wayfinding that deepens connection to place.

The Otways – A Living Canvas

The Otways deliver sensory richness: towering eucalyptus and fern gullies, dappled light, and the sound of water moving through cascading falls like Triplet Falls and Hopetoun Falls. The region’s biodiversity invites close observation - koalas, diverse birdlife, and layered ecosystems.

Inspiration themes (for concepts and materials):

• Ancient Forests & Fern Gullies – layered forms, textures, resilience.
• Waterfalls & Flow – movement, rhythm, hydrology, time.
• Wildlife & Ecology – coexistence, fragility, habitat.
• Light & Shadow – contrast, pattern, immersion.
• Connection to Country – deep cultural significance for Gadubanud peoples of the Maar Nation; respectful engagement with First Peoples’ stories of land and water.

Natural Assets (artist‑relevant highlights)

• Lake Colac – volcanic origin, recreation, identity.
• Lake Corangamite & Ramsar wetlands – internationally significant bird habitat and migratory species narratives.
• Red Rock Reserve – visible volcanic history and crater‑lake vistas (form, colour, geology).
• Great Otway National Park – ancient forests, waterfalls, biodiversity; opportunities for immersive, nature‑led interpretation.
• Great Ocean Road coastline – cliffs, beaches, and Cape Otway lighthouse heritage.

Industry & Economy (context for placemaking)

 The economy blends agriculture (dairy, beef, cropping) with tourism along the Great Ocean Road, alongside creative enterprises and services. Forestry has a long history in the Otways, with significant shifts towards conservation and nature‑based tourism in recent decades. This combination of working landscapes and visitor‑facing environments offers artists rich terrain for narratives about making, stewardship, and adaptation.

 Towns & Communities (diversity of settings)

Beyond Colac and Apollo Bay, smaller townships contribute distinct identities and sites:

Birregurra, Cororooke, Beeac, Forrest, Beech Forest, Lavers Hill, Cressy, and more than a dozen villages across plains, lakes, and forest fringes. Each offers different scales and textures - main streets, reserves, trailheads, and lookouts - that can host intimate or landmark public art.

Cultural Identity & People

Colac Otway Shire acknowledges the Gulidjan and Gadubanud peoples of the Maar Nation as Traditional Custodians. Artists are encouraged to work respectfully and collaboratively - recognising living culture and local protocols in concept development and storytelling. Community participation is strong, supported by an active creative scene including the Creative Otways Arts Trail and the Colac Makers’ Space. Council’s Public Art Policy and Arts & Culture Strategy provide frameworks for commissioning and community engagement.

Why Colac Otway Inspires Public Art

• Concentrated diversity: volcanic forms, wetlands, forests, and coast within short travel times - ideal for a multi‑site narrative or trail.
• Layered stories: First Nations heritage, pioneering and working‑country histories, contemporary creative life.
• Active creative networks: existing trails, studios, and cultural programs that support collaboration and participation.
• Visitor interface: public art can shape wayfinding, welcome, and storytelling across town centres, foreshore paths, and trail nodes. 

• Materials & durability: coastal conditions (salt/UV), lakefront winds, and forest moisture; consider stone, treated timber, stainless, high‑grade coatings, and robust fixings.
• Accessibility & interaction: tactile elements, seating, shade, and inclusive design for diverse users.
• Interpretation: integrate on‑site storytelling (plinths, digital components, AR) to connect audiences to local ecology and culture.
• Engagement: co‑design workshops with schools, local makers, and Traditional Owners; align with Council’s Public Art Policy on process and maintenance.