Bayside residents sour over $85k oranges sculpture

Bayside Council has splashed $85,000 of public money on a sculpture of oranges, in “tribute” to those who participate in team sports.

Winter, 6, with the ‘Half Time’ sculpture at Peterson Reserve, Highett. Picture: Rebecca Michael

Bayside Council has splashed more than $80,000 on a sculpture of oranges, outraging ratepayers and community groups.

The Herald Sun can reveal the council’s sculpture of five orange halves by artist Carla Gottgens, installed at Peterson Reserve in Highett, has cost ratepayers a whopping $85,000.

It comes after Yarra Council splurged $22,000 on a 6ft banana sculpture last year, which was later removed after a vandal tried to decapitate it with a hacksaw.

The banana installation made headlines around the world, with US late-night talk show host John Oliver offering to buy it.

Bayside council allocates $100,000 each year to commissioning public artwork.

Bayside Mayor Alex del Porto, who unveiled the sculpture last week, said it brought
“vibrancy and interactivity” to public spaces and fostered “wellbeing and inclusion”.

Ms Gottgens said at the unveiling: “Half time is a tribute to all the families who have braved early Saturday mornings, late winter evenings, rain, hail and shine to watch their children or participate themselves in team sport.”

But Highett West Cricket Club committee member Richard Henebery said it was “extremely frustrating” and almost in “bad taste” for the council to spend $85,000 on the sculpture.

“Community and sporting clubs have been waiting nine years (with five more to go) for our facilities to gain basic improvements,” Mr Henebery said.

“I am not against the idea of trying to improve the look and vibrancy of our community, but $85,000 on aluminium oranges when only 100m away there are dangerous and dilapidated facilities that 99 per cent people would label unacceptable in this day and age – it’s just not right.”

The controversial banana sculpture was removed after it was targeted by vandals Picture: Alex Coppel.

Highett resident Andrew Boot said he was “outraged” by the council’s spending on the sculpture.

“It’s going to be vandalised and graffitied in no time,” Mr Boot said.

“The council needs to focus on the important issues and give money to local sports clubs in need of new facilities, this a waste of money.”

Sandringham state Liberal MP Brad Rowswell said: “A new pavilion at Peterson Reserve would be transformational for Highett West Cricket Club, the Hampton Football Netball Club and the East Sandringham Junior Football Club, but instead Bayside Council has prioritised oranges over opportunities for locals to fully participate in the sports that they love.”

Mr Rowswell said the council’s current plan to upgrade the Peterson Reserve pavilion by 2027 was “totally unacceptable” and demonstrated an unwillingness to respond to the needs of Highett locals.

“The residents at Highett deserve so much better from Bayside Council than oranges.”

Ratepayers Victoria spokesman Dean Hurlston said the council’s spend on the sculpture was an “exorbitant” and “disgusting” waste of ratepayers’ money.

“This money should be going to building change rooms and providing girls equitable access to sporting facilities,” Mr Hurlston said.

Bayside Council community and customer experience director Tilla Buden said the sculpture was commissioned after community consultation revealed the community’s aspirations for public art at the site.

“We’re also calling for state government funding to bring forward the redevelopment of several pavilions as a key advocacy priority for the upcoming Victorian election,” she said.