The council has already set aside $600,000 in this year’s budget for the artwork, with the remainder to come from state government funds for what Wodonga mayor Rodney Wangman said would be “an iconic piece of work”.

It is almost half the cost of the entire $2.3 million project — expected to be finished within months — with the council having already contributed a separate $600,000 for work on the 4200-square metre redevelopment.

Cr Wangman was quick to stress yesterday the $1 million figure was the uppermost limit of what the council may spend, and that a final sum was yet to be allocated.

An advertisement in Saturday’s Border Mail called for expressions of interest from artists “for the design, construction and installation of public art valued up to $1 million for the new public space” on the corner of Elgin Boulevard and High Street.

Cr Wangman said the piece would “complete the urban square transformation” and “conclude the entirety of that space”.

“We’re just seeking expressions at the moment,” he said.

“When we get the ideas, the sentiment of the artists, then we’ll deal with the tendering prices, but we needed to put a number on it that would give artists some latitude to think about the space they’re working in.

“It will be an iconic piece of work.”

Cr Wangman said the council was seeking an artwork that would connect with the rail history of the site, but would also encourage people to enjoy and be active in the space.

He said they were keen to hear from local artists.

The piece could potentially take up the space from the existing railway gantry on the square to High Street.

“It won’t just be a monument, the expectation is they (the artist) will think through all those design principles,” he said.

Although the council could spend up to $1 million, Cr Wangman said it often accepted tenders well under the budgets set.

The council was under no obligation to choose a tender should it not meet its desires and requirements.

“Over the next couple of months we will get the ideas and presentations that will help move this forward,” he said.

Tenders close on February 13.

Meanwhile, an official name for the urban square is likely to be chosen within the next month.

The council is now considering its final decision after a submissions process.