Concerns over the behind-closed-doors approach of Lord Mayor to the proposal has some councillors, including Edward Mandla, annoyed, because he believes there should be public debate over the work before the decision is made. Council has $6.5 million set aside for three public artworks along George Street.

But things took a menacing turn after he threatened to go public with the proposal, chief executive, Monica Barone, saying she would have to report “suspected corruption” to the ICAC “if confidential matters were disclosed to the media that would likely come within the definition of corruption.”