Nambour Public Art: Strategic Creative Infrastructure for CBD Renewal

The Context

Nambour’s CBD faced significant perception challenges. Key transit corridors, particularly the pedestrian tunnel connecting the train station to the civic precinct, were viewed as unsafe and unwelcoming. Furthermore, the precinct suffered from poor legibility; essential amenities like the public elevator were “hidden” behind blank façades, confusing visitors. The challenge was to use creative interventions not merely for beautification, but as a functional tool to solve these Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and wayfinding issues.

The Collaboration

POMO acted as the strategic lead, bridging the gap between municipal requirements and creative delivery. We partnered with local artists ensure the artworks aligned with the broader “Nambour Activation Plan.” Crucially, we facilitated a selection process, establishing a stakeholder panel to vote on artist submissions, thereby de-risking the outcome and ensuring genuine stakeholder ownership.

Delivering Nambour Public Art: The Implementation Process

POMO’s role extended beyond curation into the technical delivery of “functional art.” We treated every installation as a piece of urban infrastructure requiring durability, safety, and purpose.

Strategic Brief Development: We moved away from open-ended “art calls” to highly specific technical briefs. For the elevator mural, the brief explicitly required a design that functioned as high-impact signage to reveal the hidden lift, solving a critical accessibility problem through scale and colour.
CPTED & Lighting Integration: The pedestrian tunnel required more than paint; it needed a complete atmospheric shift. We managed the installation of lighting upgrades alongside the mural work to eliminate dark spots, transforming a “no-go” zone into a vibrant, safe entry point for commuters.
Graffiti & Maintenance Planning: Recognising the high-risk environment, we specified high-quality, fade-resistant materials and anti-graffiti coatings for street-level works. This ensures the assets remain an economic positive rather than a maintenance liability.

The Impact

The program has successfully repositioned public art as a driver of urban renewal in Nambour.

Solved Wayfinding: The 3-storey elevator mural has measurably improved accessibility, allowing users to intuitively locate the lift without traditional signage.
Enhanced Safety: The activation of the pedestrian tunnel and laneways has increased passive surveillance, reclaiming these spaces for legitimate public use.
Economic Activation: By improving the “arrival experience” from the train station, the project has supported the broader $21.5 million private investment into the C-Square precinct, proving that creative infrastructure builds investor confidence.

Social Sustainability Outcomes

Improved Public Amenity and Safety: The project directly improved the user experience and amenity of public bathrooms through art installations. It also transformed a pedestrian tunnel, which previously felt unsafe, into a more welcoming entry point, leading to a re-engaged community.
Strategic Wayfinding and Accessibility: Public art was used as a functional tool for wayfinding. A large, three-story mural was created specifically to indicate the location of an elevator, addressing a need where users were previously unaware of its presence.
Support for Local Artists and Creative Economy: The project provided commercial opportunities for local artists. This was achieved by engaging a local artist for one installation and by working with a council-funded local art initiative, “Drawn Together,” to select another artist through a detailed briefing process.
Enhanced Place Identity: The project’s core purpose was to establish a distinct sense of place and identity for the urban environment. The creation of memorable and unique, place-specific art leaves a lasting impression on visitors and residents alike.
Encouraging Pedestrian Activity: A primary goal was to encourage more pedestrians to enter the precinct from the local train and bus station. By improving the appearance of the connecting pedestrian tunnel with art, the project makes the area more appealing for foot traffic.