Maribyrnong City Council: New $250,000 10m ‘gateway’ sculpture blasted

A Melbourne council has spent tens of thousands of dollars on a “bizarre and expensive” sculpture that should have gone towards flood victims, residents say.

Angry residents have turned their noses up at a “ridiculous” sculpture meant to pay homage to the area’s maritime past, saying the council should have used the money to help victims still recovering from the devastating 2022 floods.

Maribyrnong City Council was slammed on social media this week after it unveiled the artwork, which the Herald Sun can reveal cost $250,000.

The installation was funded by developer Blue Earth Group, as part of the requirement to contribute a percentage of its development cost to a public artworks fund, administered by council staff.

The council contributed an additional $60,000 to complement the installation.

The sculpture located beside the Hopkins St Bridge soars at 10-metres and symbolises Footscray's maritime history. Picture: Anna Kiparis

‘Maribyrnong’ — a 10m vertical sculpture made from steel, copper, and bronze — features abstract sails that appear to be in constant motion and reflects the area’s sailing and shipbuilding history.

Council Watch Victoria president Dean Hurlston said Maribyrnong Council had lost its way.

“This council is delirious. This cash is made up of money from the developer which really should be paying for infrastructure,” Mr Hurlston said.

“When a council spends enormous amounts of public money on artwork while roads crumble and community satisfaction declines, it reveals why so many locals have contempt for the spin thrown at them.

Maribyrnong residents cleaning up after the 2022 floods. Picture: David Crosling

“Perhaps Maribyrnong could have better responded to residents who lost everything in the floods instead of bizarre and expensive artwork installations.”

One Melbourne resident on social media said: “As a commercial seafarer … I previously worked on ships, tugs and barges, but someone is going to have to explain to me how this sculpture represents maritime history,” while another said: “Money would have been better spent helping the residents affected by last years flood of the Maribyrnong river,”

The council’s contribution came from its 2022 Art and Culture budget and was spent on the concrete footings, traffic management and part of lighting infrastructure still underway.

The sculpture, designed by renowned Melbourne artist Geoffrey Bartlett, is located by the Hopkins St Bridge as a ‘gateway’ piece to welcome pedestrians and commuters.

But mayor Sarah Carter said the sculpture was a “stunning” marker for the region.

“It is a captivating addition, poised to become an iconic landmark and further enriching the vibrancy of our cultural landscape for years to come,” Ms Carter said.

The sculpture will be a key feature of the Joseph Road Precinct along with Lilardia Park (under construction) and provide a valuable community space to promote social interaction, according to the council.

It was commissioned by the Boat House Public Art Commission initiative, a joint partnership between Council and Blue Earth Group to enrich Footscray’s urban environment in alignment with the council’s Public Art Strategy.