Hume council has defended its decision to throw out brightly painted concrete bollards as part of major upgrades to Sunbury’s O’Shanassy Street.
A number of people were angered last week when the remains of some of the street art items, painted by residents and community groups in 2014, were spotted in landfill.
Some of the colourful bollards depicted key moments in the area’s history, including the Sunbury pop festivals of the 1970s.
Council acting city infrastructure director John Monaghan said the art was completed on the understanding that the bollards would remain in place until the streetscape was upgraded.
‘‘The paint on the bollards had worn and it was not possible to excavate the bollards without damaging the artwork,’’ he said.
‘‘While we would have liked to relocate the bollards to another location, these concrete cylinders could not be excavated in a manner that left the artwork intact.’’
A Sunbury resident, who did not want to be named, said that while she understood the council’s rationale she believed some of the bollards could have been saved.
She said some residents had rescued bollards from the tip and placed them in their backyards.
‘‘They could have been given to community groups or even sold,’’ she said. “Some of them aren’t badly damaged.”
She said the situation should have been handled better.
“People should have been given the option,’’ she said.
Mr Monaghan said the council had taken professional photographs of the art featured on each bollard.
‘‘We would welcome any ideas on where these photos could be displayed,’’ he said.
Mr Monaghan said the O’Shanassy streetscape project, which is almost complete, would encourage outdoor dining and entice more people to visit the precinct.
Footpaths, seating and lighting have all been upgraded, while powerlines have been moved underground.
