City of Melbourne forks out $2m for sculpture that’s in storage

City of Melbourne’s controversial roo in a chair sculpture, which was destined for Southbank, is sitting in storage despite the hefty $2m price tag.

City of Melbourne $2m ‘roo in a chair’ sculpture, which was destined for Southbank, is in storage. Picture: Tony Gough

Works on key upgrades in Melbourne’s inner city are set to go ahead after being disrupted by lockdowns.

The $3.8m stage one Southbank Promenade project is due to start by May, with a City of Melbourne report saying it’s been given priority “because of the condition of trees, pavements, and longstanding ­issues with fast cyclist speeds”.

Stretching 300m between Princes Bridge and Evan Walker Bridge, the proposed promenade works were put on hold pending more information about the planned $470m redevelopment of the Southgate leisure precinct.

Also due to start soon is the $5.9m last stage of the much- delayed Southbank Boulevard improvement project, says the latest council works program summary report.

Works on Southbank promenade are expected to ramp up. Picture: Tony Gough

The report revealed a $6.3m budget for the secretive Southbank public art project, which the Herald Sun understands involves an Indigenous theme.

It’s believed about $2m has gone to New Zealand artist Michael Parekowhai, who created a sculpture of a giant kangaroo on a chair wrapped in wire and lights, which is still in storage.

The report said that the art commissions have been separated from the broader Southbank Boulevard project.

About $3.4m has been set aside for streetscape upgrades involving the Exhibition St bike lane near hotels and theatres. The report said the Transport Department had asked for extra traffic surveys for the project, but this was “subject to returning a sufficient volume of vehicle traffic in the city, which due to Covid is not enough”.

It said the impact of lockdowns, worker limitations on project sites and construction shutdowns related to the pandemic had affected council works at the end of 2021.

“As a result, the labour market and supply chain were disrupted, and the awarding of new contracts was delayed … and resulted in a $27m variance from the ‘revised’ capital works budget,” it said.

Projects completed include the $1.96m Melbourne City Baths renewal works, involving turret refurbishment, skylight and stormwater pipe replacement, painting and other works.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the council was very proud of the restoration.

“By continuing to protect the City Baths now, we’re ensuring it can be enjoyed by generations of Melburnians for decades to come,” she said.