FORM versus function was the topic debated among members of the public trying out the new s-shaped seat at the corner of Hargreaves and Mitchell Streets on Monday. 

The new seat cost the City of Greater Bendigo $28,370 - a price some said could have been better spent on other things.

Taking a break from work to chat with a friend, Marlow Schneider tried out the seat for the first time. 

"I think (the cost) is a bit extreme for a seat," she said.

Ms Schneider said she wasn't sure how long the seat would last before it got vandalised. 

Chairperson of Bendigo District Aboriginal Cooperative, Aunty Lyn Warren, sat down to wait for her bus because places were taken at the smaller seat in front of the bus stop. 

"It's absolutely beautiful," Aunty Lyn said.

"There's just something about it, I love the way it's been designed."

Mother Leia O'Leary stopped at the seat to feed her baby. 

"I'm all for beautifying the city but I don't think they need to spend $30,000 on a seat," Ms O'Leary said.

She said the council could have put in a seat for a quarter of the price and done something else with the money. 

Waiting at a nearby bus stop, resident Peter Worthington said the council had spent "far too much". 

"They call it a piece of art - it's a seat," Mr Worthington said. 

"How can you beautify (the city) with galvanised metal and timber."