A statue of Captain Cook will be restored after it was sawn off at the ankles on the eve of Australia Day.
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The monument in Melbourne's Jacka Boulevard was found lying on the ground next to the pedestal, which was graffitied with "the colony will fall", about 3.30am on January 25.
Meanwhile a monument of Queen Victoria near Melbourne's CBD was also targeted overnight, splashed with red paint.
It's not the first time the Captain Cook statue has been targeted around Australia Day with vandals covering the monument in red paint in 2022, and pink paint in 2018.
Port Phillip Council had therefore arranged for security to be at the site as a precaution, however the incident unfolded before they were due to arrive.
Port Phillip Mayor Heather Cunsolo said the vandalism was disappointing.
Council officers collected the statue and removed the graffiti, however repairs to the plinth stonework would be required, she said.
"We understand and acknowledge the complex and diverse views surrounding Australia Day," Cr Cunsolo said.
"We can't condone, however, the vandalism of a public asset where costs will be ultimately borne by ratepayers."
Cr Cunsolo said the council was "proudly supporting" a dawn ceremony held by traditional owners on January 26.
The statue was gifted to the then St Kilda council in 1914 and is a replica of a monument in England commemorating Cook's voyage to the south Pacific Ocean from 1768-71.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said there was no place for vandalism in the community.
"We will be working with [Port Phillip Council] to repair and reinstate the statue in St Kilda that has been vandalised overnight," she said.
A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed investigations into criminal damage at the site were under way.
"It is understood the statue was sawn off at the ankles," the spokesperson said.
"Several people were seen loitering in the area around the time of the incident."
The captain cook statue in Sydney's Hyde Park has also been targeted previously with two people charged with defacing the monument in 2020, in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement in the US.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
