A recently toppled statue of Captain Cook is set to be re-erected in Melbourne, after local councillors rejected a motion to consult the community on its future.
The statue was recently sawn off at the ankles and left on the ground with a noose around his neck the night before Australia Day.
Port Phillip councillors voted in favour of returning the statue to its original place in last night's council meeting, despite suggestions it could be moved to a museum.
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Mayor Heather Cunsolo was forced to briefly adjourn the meeting after several members of the public were heard yelling – in support of the statue's resurrection.
Council rejected the proposal five votes to four after a sometimes-heated debate.
This means the restoration of the statue will continue without any community consultation.
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"Although the Notice of Motion was not adopted, we are united as a council in sending a very clear message to vandals that they do not dictate which cultural public assets are allowed to stand in our city," Cunsolo said in a statement today.
"We anticipate having a plan for the reinstatement (of the statue) in the next couple of weeks."
However, Cunsolo said "conversations" with traditional owners would continue so as to enable the council to "better recognise the perspectives, experiences and history of First Nations people".
She said council officers would consider options such as "contextual information" to reduce the chance of further vandalism incidents.
