Electrifying art in car park safety measure

The history of Albury’s Volt Lane Car Park site will literally be highlighted in new colourful lighting under plans to improve safety at the site.

In keeping with the precinct’s past as the site of Albury’s original electricity substation, new non-climbable screens to be installed on the east and north walls of the top floor will light up with artistic representations of the area’s history.

The laser-cut panel designs depict surges of electricity pulsing along the top level, creating an eye-catching reference to the original sub-station, which provided power to the first street lights in the CBD.

The screens and mesh panels will be 2.9m metres high, reducing the risk of vandals throwing large objects over the edge.

AlburyCity Mayor Kevin Mack said the new panels would address the concerns of nearby business owners, who have expressed fears for the safety of their staff and customers and passing vehicles.

“By erecting these new panels and mesh, we’ll deter criminals from committing dangerous acts and at the same time we’ll be creating public art that will literally highlight the past and future of this CBD location,” he said.

“By adding a beautiful story narrative to the car park we hope to further develop a ‘sense of place’ that will use art to not only deter dangerous activities but also highlight the connectivity between Volt Lane and AMP Lane and the cultural precinct in QEII Square.”

Council staff have shown the designs and plans to nearby business operators and the project has the support of Albury Police.

Work on the project is scheduled for completion mid-2020.

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