Photos posted on social media show the body of the statue fallen on the grass below with “The colony will fall” written in red spray paint on the stone plinth underneath where the statue usually stands.

Port Phillip Council Mayor Heather Cunsolo said she was disappointed it had been vandalised.

“We understand and acknowledge the complex and diverse views surrounding Australia Day,” she said.

“We can’t condone, however, the vandalism of a public asset where costs will be ultimately borne by ratepayers.”

The Cook statue has been taken away and workers removed the feet from the plinth.

Ms Cunsolo said the council had arranged for security at the monument as a precaution from Thursday afternoon.

The same statue was doused with red paint by protesters in January 2022 as an “invasion day” statement.

A second statue was also found vandalised early on Thursday.

The Queen Victoria memorial at Queen Victoria Gardens near the city was covered in red paint.

A spokesperson for the City of Melbourne said the council was aware of the incident earlier in the morning and notified police.

A spray can and red paint tins were seen metres away from the statue.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the government would work with Port Phillip council to repair and reinstate the Cook statue at St Kilda.

“This sort of vandalism really has no place in our community,” Ms Allan said.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto said vandalism was “totally unacceptable”.

“There’s no place for acts of vandalism or any other violent acts against people or property in our community,” he said.

“We support the right of people to protest and demonstrate but it must always be done in a peaceful and respectful way.”

While January 26 continues to mark a historically significant day commemorating the anniversary of British settlement in 1788, its meaning is becoming increasingly contested.

For a rising number of the population the day marks the beginning of a colonial history afflicted with discrimination and dispossession of Indigenous peoples, prompting calls to change the date of the national day.

January 26 is alternately observed as a day of mourning for Indigenous Australians, with invasion and survival day protests.

Australia Day wasn’t always celebrated on January 26, once a New South Wales-centric celebration honouring the foundations of its capital city.

Since its official recognition as Australia Day in 1935 and establishment as a public holiday in 1994, January 26 has become synonymous with nationalist festivities.