Glengala Rd artwork slammed by Brimbank social media users

Social media users have lashed out an artwork painted on a western suburb road, calling it an “eyesore” and a waste of cash.

Facebook users said patters painted on the road at the Glengala Rd shopping strip in Sunshine West resembled the “coronavirus”. Picture: Rebecca DiNuzzo

Brimbank residents are divided over artwork painted on a Sunshine West road that is meant to revitalise the strip following Melbourne’s harsh lockdown.

Colourful patterns were painted on the road of Glengala Rd shops earlier this month in an effort to breathe new life into the retail hub.

Business owners told the Leader on Wednesday they liked the design, which they said they hoped would attract shoppers to the area.

Information provided by Brimbank Council revealed the artwork and adjacent temporary dining spaces — called parklets — were fully funded by the State Government to the tune of $120,000.

The money will also pay for local events and other improvements to the strip.

But social media users overwhelmingly slammed the art on Facebook, writing it was distracting and a safety hazard for motorists.

A few Facebook users wrote they liked the colours, but most argued the “eyesore” was a waste of cash.

Many complained hoons had already tarnished the picture with tyre marks, and some poked fun at the drawings, which they wrote resembled a rainbow Paddle Pop ice-cream or the coronavirus.

“Bad enough people can’t drive between the lines, now they go colour it in. Very distracting,” one woman wrote.

Another man wrote: “Stupidest sh-t I’ve seen in a while, what a waste of money.”

One woman said it looked like a group of toddlers had been let loose on the road with a packet of crayons.

Most said it was a waste of money that could be better spent on something else.

Some Facebook users said they loved the vibrant colours.

Newly appointed Harvester Ward councillor Trung Luu spoke to the masthead at Glengala Rd on Wednesday.

He said no council money was used for the project, but he applauded it as a great idea to draw people to the area.

“Like anything new, it’s a bit of negative feedback … it will bring back business, locals to the area. It just beautifies the area,” Cr Luu said.

Arthur Paliouvis, whose family owns D & H Hardware, said the artwork got people talking and wanting to visit the strip to take a look.

Ky Lam, who runs the Hand Wok Cafe in Glengala Rd, said he liked the art and didn’t think it was a safety issue because the speed limit in the strip was just 20km/h.

But he said he’d moved tables and chairs away from the parklet outside his shop because people were moving them onto the footpath and drinking in the parklet when they weren’t supposed to.

When the Leader visited on Wednesday no one was sitting at either of the two parklets on the strip.

Brimbank Council city services director Neil Whiteside said the artwork encouraged drivers to slow down and extra signage, speed cushions and a raised pedestrian crossing would soon be added to further enhance road safety.

“What’s great about the outcome is the designs of the road art reference drawings by local schoolchildren,” Mr Whiteside said.

“Council also worked closely with local traders, VicRoads, the TAC and community members to help deliver something really special.”

The council noted there were currently no plans to add road art to other shopping hubs.