A council in Melbourne's inner-west has been forced to apologise, after graffiti contractors removed a newly installed mural which it partly funded to pay tribute to the area's disabled community.
The disability pride mural was installed about a week ago on the Footscray Exchange building and took hundreds of hours to complete.
But on Monday night the artwork's coordinator, Larissa MacFarlane, discovered the mural had been removed.
"This blatant act of contempt, epitomises the way that people with disabilities are treated in this country," Ms MacFarlane wrote on her Facebook page.
"Many people involved in this artwork, shared that this was the first time they had felt pride in themselves.
"For some people it was their first time identifying as disabled, because they already know the deeply entrenched and discriminating ableism in this country.
"I am appalled. I am devastated. I am shaking with horror."
Her post has gained traction on social media and was shared 150 times.
"The days' theme was 'leave no-one behind' and I guess that's already been disregarded," wrote one user.
"That's a bloody outrage," wrote another. "I was going to go and have a look this weekend, guess that won't be happening. What disgusting behaviour."
On Tuesday night, the chief executive of Maribyrnong City Council, Stephen Wall, owned up.
"We sincerely apologise to Ms MacFarlane and all the artists involved in the installation," he said.
"We fully support their work and all that it represented, and are embarrassed by this unfortunate mistake.
"Our graffiti contractors removed the installation and we will be meeting with them to review the current procedures."
Ms MacFarlane said she was looking at ways to replace the artwork.
