Controversial Vault sculpture to get heritage protection in Southbank planning review

ONCE the subject of ridicule, this controversial steel sculpture has now been offered heritage protection decades after its unveiling sparked an outcry from Melburnians.

Ron Robertson-Swann with his 1980 sculpture Vault outside ACCA. Picture: Nicole Cleary

THE controversial Vault sculpture will be afforded heritage protection under a review of City of Melbourne’s planning scheme of Southbank.

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Protection would also be granted to Queens Bridge and Spencer St bridge if the proposed changes are approved, probably by next year.

Vault, also known as the Yellow Peril, caused a public outcry when it was commissioned as the centrepiece for City Square in 1980.

Vault artwork was installed as the centrepiece for City Square.

Vault is dismantled for removal form City Square in July 1981.

Ron Robertson-Swann’s sculpture was scrawled with graffiti and the following year it was moved to Batman Park by the Yarra before landing at its current location outside the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in 2002.

Daniel Jeavons, 24, said he did not think the sculpture should be given the protections.

“I’m pretty sure nobody knows what it is unless you’re walking past it ... heritage listings should be something special,” he said.

Niko Barakia, who had his wedding photos taken outside abstract piece today, said he thought it was worthy of the title.

“The artwork is such a beautiful colour and it brightens up the outside of ACCA,” he said.

Council’s heritage chairman Cr Rohan Leppert said Vault was now a mostly much-loved piece of Melbourne public art.

Vault was a target for graffiti while at City Square in 1980.

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“It has moved around a little bit so putting an overlay on a mobile piece of public art is interesting.

“It really is an important part of the history of Melbourne’s attitudes to public art.

“It’s fantastic that the planning laws will be recognising its significance.’’

The council is updating its heritage overlays for Southbank, with many existing conditions being updated or amended.

Vault was used as a parking shelter when installed outside ACCA in 2002.

A total of 11 new places are being recommended for interim heritage controls in Southbank including the City Rd industrial and warehouse precinct.

Another 17 existing overlays will be amended and updated such as the Sandridge Rail Bridge.

“What this amendment will do ... is to keep the heritage that we have and make the streetscapes of Southbank much more interesting, keep them interesting and that will keep the suburb of Southbank liveable for generations to come,’’ Cr Leppert said.

Vault being removed from Batman Park in 2002.

Vault’s current location in Southbank.

Environment and heritage consultants Biosis produced a report for the council to update the heritage controls for both Southbank and Fishermans Bend.

The Biosis report recommended the Westgate and Bolte Bridges be classed as significant structures but the council will not pursue heritage overlays on them yet.

The council will conduct further study in heritage overlays for Fishermans Bend, Cr Leppert said.

“We really feel we need to do a lot more work with the property owners and the various state government agencies to figure out what is precisely of heritage significance so we are not putting blanket overlays over everything and really understanding the history of that place,’’ he said.

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