The Wellington City Council has announced plans to remove a pedestrian crossing painted in the colours of the transgender flag, which appeared in Berhampore.
A post on a local community Facebook page showed road cones surrounding the crossing, which featured light blue, pink, and white stripes. The unauthorised artwork received an outpouring of support from residents, with comments such as “this is awesome to see,” “love it,” and “this is beautiful.”
Council to Remove “Guerilla Art” Installation
Despite the positive reaction, the council confirmed it was not responsible for the painting and stated it would be removed.
A spokesperson described the crossing as “a piece of guerilla art” and noted that it did not comply with safety regulations for pedestrian crossings.
“Wellington City Council is a proud supporter of the queer community and the Pride festival. However, this particular street artwork does not meet the strict safety requirements for pedestrian crossings,” the spokesperson said.
“We encourage the public to contact the council and follow proper processes if they are interested in installing artwork around the city—temporary or otherwise.”
Precedent Set by Cuba Street Rainbow Crossing
In 2018, the Wellington City Council installed a permanent rainbow crossing on Cuba Street as part of efforts to make the city “more deliberately LGBTQI-friendly.” However, this crossing has since become the subject of legal scrutiny.
A judicial review hearing in the High Court last month questioned whether the Cuba Street crossing met official safety requirements. This ongoing case raises concerns about the compliance of colourful pedestrian crossings, including the recently painted transgender flag version in Berhampore.
Next Steps for Removal
Council staff have yet to determine the best method for removing the unauthorised paint.
“It could involve water blasting or some other process, but our intention is to remove the trans colours,” the spokesperson stated.
While the artwork’s removal is imminent, the incident highlights ongoing discussions about public LGBTQ+ visibility and city-approved initiatives.
