Darebin Council to remove $34k steel median strip art from Northcote's High St

DAREBIN Council will remove its controversial, spiky median strip art, admitting the work was an 'expensive mistake'.

Westgarth Traders association president Peter Lynch breaks a watermelon on the controversial installation.

DAREBIN councillors have unanimously voted to remove the controversial steel pyramid installation from the median strip in High St.

But Mayor Tim Laurence flagged the possibility the $34,400 work could reappear elsewhere once removed from its current location between Clarke and Westgarth streets, saying the city retained ownership of it.

All councillors supported Cr Trent McCarthy's motion at last night's meeting to remove the pyramid-like structures as a matter of urgency due to safety concerns raised by traders and other community members.

Cr Vince Fontana said the council got it "dreadfully wrong", while Cr Angela Villella described the installation as a very expensive mistake.

Cr Laurence refuted Cr Villella's assessment the project wasted more than $30,000 of ratepayer money, saying it only cost $2200 to install and would cost $2400 to remove. He said it could be modified and used effectively in another location.

>> What would you like to see done with the installation? Tell us below.

The work - installed two weeks ago - provoked a furious response from traders and on social media.

Westgarth Traders Association president Peter Lynch said the council would be responsible if a cyclist, motorcyclist or pedestrian was impaled on the "metal shard installation".

He said a replacement work should be commissioned with local input.

Marg Sangalli, from Syrinx Environmental which designed and installed the work, last week refuted the claim that the project posed a risk to the public.

"The risk has been assessed by the council risk department and they're happy with the project," Ms Sangalli said.