‘Catastrophic decay’ hits Geelong’s iconic bollards
The devastating extent of damage to Geelong’s iconic bollards is clear to see, with nearly all 146 outdoor artworks needing replacement within five years.
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More than 130 of Geelong’s iconic waterfront bollards face immediate replacement due to “catastrophic decay”, with nine requiring urgent removal for public safety.
One of Geelong’s greatest tourism drawcards has fallen into disrepair, with the beloved bollards – made from 170-year-old hardwood and exposed to the elements for three decades – now cutting forlorn figures along Geelong’s waterfront.
One depicting Sir Hubert Opperman, a champion cyclist and former member for Corio, has been left “unrecognisable”.
Geelong council has undertaken a comprehensive assessment of the collection, finding significant deterioration caused by fungal infection, pests, rot, exposure to the coast and vandalism.
Mayor Stretch Kontelj said 131 bollards exhibited “irreparable or catastrophic decay”, with nine requiring “immediate removal for public safety”.
All 146 bollards on display outdoors will need replacement within five years.
“Retaining the bollards in their original wooden form is no longer a feasible or sustainable option,” Mr Kontelj said.
“The fact of the matter is the bollards are more than 10 years past their reasonably expected life span.”
Geelong historian Colin Mockett said the bollards were Geelong’s “finest tourism magnet”.
“It’s really imperative for council to keep the bollards in good condition,” Mr Mockett said.
The bollards generate significant economic activity in the region. They are popular with visitors, including international travellers.
Mr Mockett said artist Jan Mitchell created the bollards at a time that coincided with people’s phones becoming cameras and the popularity of taking selfies.
“Just about everybody wanted their picture taken in front of those colourful bollards,” he said.
“They don’t necessarily know who the bollards are depicting. They just want a picture, because it’s now synonymous with Geelong.”
“It’s got to be the happiest, and the most cost-effective tourism magnet that any Australian city has got.
“If you Google the word Geelong, the first couple of pages is all footballers, and then after that it’s all bollards.”
Geelong Advertiser readers raised the alarm, highlighting the “deplorable state of the bollards” and sending in dozens of photographs of the decay.
The maintenance burden has become unsustainable for council, with each bollard costing between $500-$1000 annually to maintain.
This is separate from a $100,000 annual cost of repairs, restoration and vandalism removal.
For 30 years sign-writer John Starr – who worked closely with the late Ms Mitchell – was employed to maintain the bollards.
He is now training two new artists who have begun conservation work on Pierrot and The Early Geelong Footballer – both located near Geelong Yacht Club.
The first bollard was installed in Barwon Heads in the early 1990s, before Ms Mitchell was commissioned by council to create 100 brightly painted bollards from recovered wharf pylons, depicting notable characters from Geelong’s history.
The decision to use the recovered wharf pylons was a nod to Geelong’s maritime heritage.
Today there are 159 bollards located from Barwon Heads, along Corio Bay and the waterfront, and even one at Melbourne Airport.
To preserve their legacy, council has completed a full digitisation of all the bollards through 3D scanning.
“In partnership with Jan Mitchell’s family, local artists and industry leaders, the team is exploring what the next generation of bollards could be made from; materials that are sustainable, durable, and capable of withstanding the elements for the next hundred years,” the mayor said.
“While we’ve done our best to keep them going for as long as possible, we’re at a tipping point and taking action to preserve Jan Mitchell’s vision while re-imagining these much-loved icons.”
Geelong Council will be inviting the community to be part of the project and is redeveloping the online walking trail and printed bollard map.
Originally published as ‘Catastrophic decay’ hits Geelong’s iconic bollards
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