Fremantle ratepayers could be left with a bill to remove an international artist’s high-profile optical illusion from some of the port city’s heritage-listed buildings.

Felice Varini’s Arcs d’Ellipses used yellow painted foil to transform Fremantle’s High Street, including many of its historic buildings, as part of last year’s High Tide festival.

But the City of Fremantle has run into problems removing the foil from some buildings, a process that started last month.

Under an agreement with property owners, the council agreed to pay for any damage to paintwork as a result of removing the artwork. It is unclear what the final cost is likely to be.

When The West Australian visited this week, there were signs of what appeared to be damage to the paint on some buildings.

Camera Icon A bit of damage caused. Credit: The West Australian

A council spokesman said the artwork had been “hugely popular” and “helped to raise Fremantle’s profile and attract thousands of visitors to the West End”.

“The city commenced the removal of the artwork last month by removing it from the Town Hall without any difficulties, but has encountered some problems removing it from some buildings on High Street,” he said.

“It was always a condition of the agreement with property owners that the city would make good any damage to paintwork as a result of the removal of the artwork. There is provision for this in the city’s budget.

“The city will work with building owners to ensure any damage caused by the removal of the artwork is repaired.

Camera Icon The foil removal has been difficult in some parts. Credit: The West Australian

“The city is looking to engage a paint specialist within the next week to assist in the removal of the artwork and repair of the buildings. Once they’ve been engaged we will have a better understanding of the costs involved.”

The installation covered 800m of High Street and took about a month for Varini and his team of volunteers to put in place last year.

The best view was arguably from outside the Roundhouse, where the curves of yellow foil were transformed into golden arches framing the street.

The Swiss artist has an international reputation for his installations.