Cities all over the world are investing in security bollards to help protect members of the public from terrorist attacks and other incidents involving vehicles as they go about their day.
And now, according to the BBC, those that were recently installed in Melbourne in Australia have been transformed by locals in the city, covering the grey concrete blocks in paint and brightly coloured fabrics.
These latest security measures were installed after six people died on Bourke Street in the city centre at the start of the year, when a man drove his car into pedestrians.
David Gray is one of the artists who has taken it upon himself to decorate the bollards, saying that he was inspired by passersby commenting on the dull appearance of the concrete, as well as the concern that they might become advertising space.
He told the news source: “It’s really just a response to these massive concrete blocks. Melbourne is very drab right now and I have heard a lot of people say, ‘that just made me smile’.”
Earlier this year, 26-year-old James Gargasoulas was charged with six counts of murder and 29 charges of attempted murder following the rampage, which took place on January 20th. The Victorian Supreme Court has now been told that he may use mental impairment as part of his legal defence, with his defence barrister saying mental health experts would be assessing him.
It’s possible that the case may not reach trial until 2019 if a pre-trial committal hearing is scheduled for the start of next year.