Debate over whether Captain Cook statue will be rebuilt

City of Port Phillip is debating whether it rebuilds the sawn off statue of Captain Cook, with one councillor declaring he “wouldn’t put him back”.

A statue of Captain Cook that was sawn off in St Kilda may not be rebuilt, with a local Labor-aligned councillor calling for the community to be consulted on whether they want the monument reinstated.

Vandals used an angle grinder to cut the metal sculpture, located on Jacka Boulevard at Catani Gardens, from its stone base on the eve of Australia Day this year.

Its plinth was spray painted with the words: “The colony will fall”.

Shortly after, Premier Jacinta Allan vowed to work with the City of Port Phillip to reinstate the statue, which is more than 115 years old.

The statue of Captain Cook in St Kilda was sawn off. Picture: David Crosling

Debate has arisen as to whether the statue should be rebuilt Picture: David Crosling

But in a motion to be read at next week’s council meeting, Port Phillip councillor Robbie Nyaguy will call on the chief executive to delay rebuild efforts in order to gauge community sentiment.

Mr Nyaguy’s motion requests the CEO conducts a “community engagement process to understand community views on the reinstatement or removal of the statue ahead of any works being undertaken”.

He has also called for information on how much the rebuild will cost ratepayers as well as for a plan on how the council intends to manage the statue.

Some have questioned the statue’s location, stating that Captain Cook never visited Port Phillip or the bay region.

Mr Nyaguy told the Herald Sun there had been a mixed response from the community — with some people hurt by the vandalism while others laughed it off.

“The most mature thing is for us to have a consultation. Personally I wouldn’t put him back,” he said.

“The only way we can come together as a country to reflect on our history, both the dark moments and the lighter ones, is to come together and have a conversation.”

But fellow councillor Marcus Pearl slammed the motion and said it will “unnecessarily divide our community and disregard the broader historical significance”.

“The Captain Cook statue is a marker of our past, with all its intricacies and lessons. The proposed motion to potentially remove the statue neglects the importance of historical context and the need for a balanced understanding of our heritage,” he said.

“We must stand against vandalism and for the rule of law, ensuring our public spaces and historical markers are respected.”

The statue of Captain Cook after it was sawn off at Jacka Boulevard in St Kilda. Picture: David Crosling

Local Liberal MP James Newbury said the motion sent a bad message that would empower protesters.

“Frankly, only a fool would support rewarding criminals and vandals,” he said.

“A decision to remove the statue will send a green light signal to every thug that they should go out and vandalise.

“Any councillor who supports the motion, is in effect rewarding the behaviour.”

Ms Allan last month said the Captain Cook statue would be reinstated as soon as possible.

“This sort of vandalism really has no place in our community,” she said.

The statue, which is heritage listed, was initially funded by private donation and unveiled in December 1914.