A controversial Bondi Beach mural highlighting Australia's immigration detention system has been painted over just hours after a fiery council meeting declared it should stay.
Early morning swimmers and joggers spotted the white paint covering the mural on Bondi Beach this morning.
The suspected vigilante action came after heated debate at a local council meeting last night, where councillors voted to eventually replace the artwork — but not immediately.
The seawall mural was painted by artist Luke Cornish late last month.
He said the 24 Australian Border Force officers in the artwork were meant to represent "the 24 suicides in detention facilities".
Speaking on ABC Radio Sydney's breakfast program this morning, he said he was more "emotional" than "annoyed" about the defacing of his artwork.
"I'm amazed it lasted more than two days," he said.
"I don't want to offend people, but I did this to raise awareness of asylum-seeker policy."
He said he was contemplating repainting it and would not press charges.
During a debate at a council meeting last night, Waverley Mayor John Wakefield said many locals wanted the mural, which sparked a censorship debate and an online petition, to stay.
The petition to remove it said it gave off an "inappropriate depiction of violence on unsuspecting visitors, young children and overseas guests".
Liberal councillor Leon Goltsman — who condemned the vigilante action — had described the mural as "offensive" and told ABC Radio Sydney it had "politicised" Bondi Beach.
"It's wrong [what happened]," he said. "But the Mayor failed to listen to the community.
"People are more upset and disappointed that [the artist] didn't follow the proper process.
"Artists normally have to submit a plan to satisfy a criteria of guidelines — none of them have been met."
Mr Wakefield said the council had sought a "fair and balanced" approach.
"Regrettably, someone has now taken the law into their own hands," he said.
He said it had invited expressions of interest to find a replacement, a process that would take about eight weeks.
NSW Police are aware of the incident and Waverley Council is reviewing the CCTV footage.
