Community shock: 'Hackett's Banksy' removed by government

Blue Gum Community School principal Maureen Hartung says there was no notice the mural would be destroyed, saying she saw workmen on Wednesday use a chainsaw to remove the artwork, which was painted on MDF board, and "convert it into a jigsaw puzzle".

"Would they do this to a Banksy?" she said. "This was Hackett's equivalent of a Banksy."

But the government says the wood on which the mural was painted was rotting and a new mural will go up in its place.

Local residents were shocked when they saw this week that the mural had been removed from a pavilion that is being upgraded at the Hackett Neighbourhood Oval.

Hackett Community Association chair Chris Mobbs said the mural was finished in mid-2019 after a collaboration between the association, artist Dai Cameron and students from the Blue Gum Community School.

The murals were seen as a way to discourage illegal graffiti on the building.

Dai Cameron mentored the students who helped to come up with ideas for the mural and also to paint it. They were also helped by several members of Silver Sprayers, older people who have previously done murals.

Blue Gum Community School principal Maureen Hartung said high school students from 2019 helped to create the mural and no one from the government had informed her it was being removed.

She received a phone call from Mr Mobbs on Wednesday morning that the mural, painted on wood, was being taken down.

"I was on my way to work and I pulled into the oval and saw that the workmen already had the chainsaw out and were converting it into a jigsaw puzzle," she said.

"I was very distressed actually because it had been a wonderful project. It had involved the community, people across generations and, as an educator, was a project you dream about."

Mr Mobbs agreed that almost five years later, the mural was looking "a bit unhappy" but residents would have still liked some notice about the removal of the artwork, which was painted on to wood panels and could have been salvaged.

"When the National Gallery has to fix the wall next to Blue Poles, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't take to the painting with a chainsaw," Mr Mobbs said.

He said residents last week noticed fences going up around the building but there was no indication of the work going on.

"When it comes to government resources, does the government have to put in a DA?" Mr Mobbs said.

"The fence went up and one week later, the mural is gone."

A spokesman for the ACT Government said some people involved with the mural had been forewarned of its removal.

"A major upgrade is underway to the pavilion at the Hackett Neighbourhood Oval. There are two murals on the pavilion. The one on the front facade is in poor condition with the wood rotting and unauthorised tags across it. The second mural on the rear and the side of the pavilion remains in good condition, despite some unauthorised tags, and will not be removed by the project," a statement read.

"Contact was made in December 2023 with one of the artists involved in both murals.

"It is regrettable the front facade mural was removed without all involved with the artwork first being informed.

"The ACT Government has since been in contact with a representative of the Blue Gum Community School who have accepted an offer to be involved in a new mural for the pavilion following the construction period.

"This may be a digital wrap which requires less maintenance to ensure its longevity."

The spokesperson said a development application was not required.

"This project didn't require a DA. It is essentially undertaking internal work to a pavilion. Given the mural was rotting/had unauthorised graffiti it was removed at same time," they said.

Ms Hartung said she was contacted by the government only after the mural was removed. She said the MDF board could have been removed more carefully and the mural maintained.

She said the school would be involved in creating the new mural, but only because it was now too late to stop the original one from being destroyed.

Ms Hartung said she remembered deputy chief minister Yvette Berry attended the official opening of the mural and praised the initiative.

"I think the whole process is problematic," Ms Hartung said.

"There just seems to be the lack of an agency which can step back and say, 'This is something that doesn't look insignificant'. It's listed on Canberra's street art database as something for people to go and see. It's iconic."