Anonymous local puts 30cm Christmas tree on Monbulk roundabout site

UPDATE: MONBULK appears to be mourning the loss of its "awful" 4m-high wire Christmas tree with a replacement appearing on the roundabout.

The roundabout after the Christmas tree was removed. Picture: Hamish Blair

UPDATE:

MONBULK appears to be mourning the loss of its "awful" 4m-high wire Christmas tree - with a replacement appearing on the roundabout.

An anonymous local has commemorated the short life of the wire tree by placing a sad-looking, potted, 30cm tree atop a pile of rubble, adorned with not much more than a single gold star.

All that had previously remained of the wire tree was a sad light pole graffitied with a crucifix and the message "RIP Xmas tree".

Yarra Ranges Council communications manager Tracey Varley told Leader the council would work with traders to develop future ideas for landscaping the roundabout.

The sculpture was removed from the roundabout on Friday last week after a VicRoads ultimatum.

>> What should replace the tree? Email [e-mail]

Monbulk Business Network president Peter Coleman said VicRoads gave them the ultimatum to take the tree down last Friday or they would be charged "a lot of money" to have VicRoads remove it - so they decided to take it down themselves.

The sculpture, created by hills' eco-artist Joost Bakker, was erected in the dead of night on November 28.

Scores of people commented on the article online and on Facebook, describing the tree as "awful," "a great big pile of dog stuff", "rusting chookwire rubbish" and "the cheapest and ugliest Christmas tree ever".

They also likened the wire scrolls to old fashioned hair rollers and said the "ghastly" tree looked like hard waste.

Speaking to Leader last week, Bakker said he did not expect the backlash, but co-operated in having the sculpture removed.

"I was just expecting some funny text messages from some friends who are growing flowers, but I wasn't expecting this, that's for sure," Bakker said.

"I expect it when I do work in town, in the CBD, I often get a reaction then, but I never expected this in Monbulk; I didn't really think anyone would be interested in Monbulk, but they are, which is great.

"I don't want to annoy people or cause problems so if it has to come down, it's no big deal."

Bakker said it hadn't occurred to him to seek VicRoads' approval before starting the project.

"I know what you need to go through to get stuff done in the city, I do traffic management plans for sculptures all the time, and I just thought, 'this is Monbulk', and you just do it," Bakker said.

"It's our local town, we live here; I couldn't imagine filling out a traffic management plan for Monbulk. I didn't even think about it, it wasn't even on our radar.

"We just thought 'let's do it, then it's done, then we'll go and pull it down'."

But Monbulk Business Network president John Coleman said he knew the sculpture "was going to possibly be controversial".

"It wasn't endorsed by the council or VicRoads; Joost just went ahead and put it up with all the safety measures and everything," he said.

Bakker said he would be using the materials to build another large commissioned sculpture which will feature in Sydney next year.

VicRoads regional director Adam Maguire warned any aspirant festive artists: "Permissions must be given before any object, including Christmas decorations, are installed on the road network to ensure safety for all road users."