One of Newport’s most-used public spaces is set to become home to a permanent artwork as officials expand its network of coastal art installations.
The artwork, titled Gathering, is being developed for Bert Payne Reserve by artist Jake Nash in collaboration with Tilt Industrial Design. Design work is already underway, with the project intended as a lasting addition to the public space rather than a temporary installation.
Council says installation is expected to begin in late April 2027 and be completed in June, adding a new point of interest along a section of the coast walk regularly used by residents and visitors. While details of the final design have not yet been released, the work is being created specifically for the Newport site and its surrounding landscape.
Collaroy Artwork to Follow
A second artwork is also planned for Collaroy Rockpool, one of the Northern Beaches’ most visited coastal destinations.
Sydney-based studio Cave Urban has been selected to create Ebb & Flow, an integrated artwork designed to become part of the existing rockpool environment. Council expects installation to begin in July 2027, following completion of the Newport project, with work scheduled to finish in August.
Further details about the final appearance, dimensions and materials of the artwork have not yet been made public.
Community Input Shapes the Designs
The projects have been shaped by feedback gathered from local residents and visitors.
More than 130 people contributed ideas for the Collaroy artwork, while more than 50 people shared their views on the Newport project. Council says community consultation has helped inform the development of both commissions, although specific design elements influenced by the feedback have not been outlined.
For many people who regularly use the coast walk, the artworks are expected to add another layer of interest to well-known public spaces already valued for recreation, exercise and coastal views.
Part of a Larger Coastal Vision
The two installations form part of a broader public art strategy that has been rolled out along the 36-kilometre Coast Walk between Manly and Palm Beach since 2019.
Six artworks have already been installed at locations including Freshwater, Narrabeen, Long Reef Headland, Avalon Beach, and the Mona Vale and Long Reef Surf Life Saving Clubs. The program aims to connect walkers with local history, culture and the coastal environment through site-specific artworks placed along the route.
The Newport and Collaroy projects are among the final installations planned under the program. One additional artwork is still planned for Long Reef, although Council has not released a timeline for that project.
Funding and Next Steps
Council says the Newport and Collaroy artworks will be funded through merger savings rather than council rates.
Project costs have not been disclosed, and any temporary access arrangements during installation are yet to be announced. Residents planning to visit either location during construction periods are expected to receive updated information closer to the start of works.
As the Coast Walk Public Art Program approaches its final stage, Newport will be among the last communities to receive a new permanent work designed specifically for its section of the Northern Beaches coastline.
Published Date 11-November-2026
