Council commits to support public art opportunities in Laverton

Published on 30 April 2026

Hobsons Bay City Council will identify future opportunities for public artwork in Laverton, following a decision not to replace bronze works, after recent thefts.

At its April 2026 meeting, Council considered the issues of ongoing vandalism and theft of bronze public artworks that form Linking Laverton by artist Dean Bowen.

Linking Laverton was commissioned and installed in 2010 as part of an initiative to promote sustainable travel, comprising three sculptures, located in Bladin Street and at McCormack Park.

In May 2025, following vandalism, an earlier theft and relocation, two of the three sculptures, Walking Man and Car, were stolen again.

To protect the remaining artwork, Bus, Council removed it from the site for safekeeping. After discussions between Council and Bowen, it was decided not to replace the stolen works.

Bus will be adapted for indoor display, with a new moveable plinth to be created to support the bronze work, allowing it to be safely exhibited in the municipality at a site to be confirmed.

The remaining outdoor plinths will be removed, and insurance funds received will be retained and allocated toward a future public art opportunity in Laverton.

Council is committed to ensuring future public art opportunities for Laverton, and will identify further steps through the development of the Creative City Arts and Culture Plan later in 2026.

Council shares the community’s sense of loss and disappointment at these repeated incidents.

Anyone with information relating to the thefts is encouraged to contact Victoria Police or Crime Stoppers of 1800 333 000.