For some time now there has been a push to breathe fresh life into the CBD. And there has already been some success stories - depending on which side of the fence you sit on. The Brisbane Street Mall, Quadrant Mall and Civic Square redevelopments, for example, formed key parts of the Launceston City Heart Project.

But still, many agree there is more to be done to help make Launceston the premiere business, retail and lifestyle hub of Northern Tasmania. The City of Launceston council, to their credit, have largely acknowledged this.

Just last week its draft Cultural Strategy highlighted opportunities to "support a culturally vital city through public art". This includes ambitions such as bringing Launceston's history back to the streets, as well as unexplored opportunities to further highlight our diverse history and communities.

The public has four weeks to have their say on this and a big part of the conversation has now turned to the city's blank walls and alleyways. According to street artist James Cowan, these spaces offer a literal blank canvas that Launceston could be better utlisiing. It is an area many believe we are "lagging behind" on.

A number of local businesses have already recognised the benefits of such an argument and have gone so far as to commission their own works. And while we tend to embrace temporary exhibits, such as those utilised during Junction Arts Festival or MONA, isn't it time for something a bit more permanent?

Art, by definition, is an expression of human creative skill and imagination. Its purpose is also to challenge thinking and inspire creativity. If we continue to talk about breathing new life into the CBD, surely incorporating more art - particularly art that draws on and celebrates what makes Launceston such a great city - should be on the table. Or in this case - on the wall.