ONE of South Australia's best-known icons is on the move and the man who designed it isn't happy.

The Mall's Balls will be moved 3m sideways as part of the redevelopment of the Rundle Mall in central Adelaide, a decision which has angered Bert Flugelman, the 89-year-old designer of the sculpture.

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He told the Sunday Mail from his home in NSW that while he had been consulted about the change, he was powerless to intervene. "Ultimately, there is nothing I can do about that," Mr Flugelman said.

"I don't want to finish up just whingeing from the sidelines, so if it works, I will be very happy"

Mr Flugelman was contacted by the Adelaide City Council in August about moving the sculpture, officially called The Spheres, which has stood in the middle of the Mall since 1977. It will migrate 3m closer to the Regent Arcade side of the Mall as part of a $30 million upgrade of the precinct that begins in February.

In a letter to the council, Mr Flugelman objected, writing: "One of the important considerations on installing The Spheres was their critical relationship to the awnings. By bringing them closer to the side of the Mall, you crowd everything into the one side and thereby destroy the symmetry, which the central sight line demands.

"The all-round symmetry of the two Spheres is a contradiction to any but the central placing."

Mr Flugelman's daughter Kay said her father had given only his reluctant permission for The Spheres to be moved.

"He doesn't want them moved but he is too old to chase it up," she said.

"I am sure if Bert was younger, he would jump up and down the Mall."

Mr Flugelman will turn 90 on January 28.

Ms Flugelman has visited Adelaide to talk to the designers and the council and has taken pictures back to her father to show him where The Spheres would be moved.

Ms Flugelman questioned whether the public knew the Balls were being moved. "Bert wonders what public opinion is and wonders why such an icon is being moved without public consultation," she said.

However, as part of the consultation process, the new position of the sculpture was changed slightly so it would be only 3m from the original site instead of the originally proposed 3.5m.

When contacted by the Sunday Mail, a council spokesman initially said Mr Flugelman had been fully consulted about the move and had agreed it was appropriate given the Mall's redesign.

A further statement from acting council chief executive Neil Brown said "while we have received acceptance from Mr Flugelman and his daughter for the move, we are aware their preference was for the sculpture to remain in its original spot.

"The Mall redevelopment involves moving all permanent structures from 3m either side of the centre line of the Mall," Mr Brown said. Other public art, including the fountain, the pigs and John Dowie's Girl on the Slide will also be moved.

michael.mcguire@news.com.au