Anti-terror bollards that appeared across the city on Friday will become a permanent - although eventually more decorative - part of Melbourne's streetscape.

Melburnians woke on Friday morning to a new urban landscape, with five-tonne concrete blocks dotted across footpaths and walkways in the inner city.

Commuters were greeted by 100 new concrete bollards in key CBD locations. About 50 bollards now guard major entry points at Southern Cross Station, while there are also deterrents around Flinders Street Station, Queen Victoria Market, Crown casino, Queensbridge Square at Southbank and Princes Bridge.

But with safety the top priority, the city will have to wait up to a year until all temporary concrete bollards are transformed into something more aesthetically pleasing.

What do you think of the bollards? Take our poll below.

Lord mayor Robert Doyle said the council had responded to police requests with temporary blocks, but more decorative measures were on the way.

"We'll look first at street furniture, planter boxes and rubbish bins, which can be reinforced and turned into unobtrusive but effective safety measures," he said. "Then we'll look at versions of the green 'heritage' style bollards that you can see near Flinders Street Station and towards Princes Bridge."

Cr Doyle said fixed and retractable bollards would also be considered, along with other options. 

"I recently travelled to Chicago where they've used flower beds along the footpaths, surrounded by bluestone, as a form of bollard," he said. "What looks like a very attractive street treatment is in fact an effective safety measure."

Melbourne's temporary barriers are part of a $10 million safety upgrade announced by Premier Daniel Andrews this month to prevent terrorism and hinder vehicle attacks. Concrete blocks have already been installed at Bourke Street, and another two locations will follow in the next week. 

It's estimated up to 140 bollards are now spread across nine city locations. Retractable or moveable bollards will be installed near tram tracks, like those at the intersection of Swanston and Flinders streets.

Police Minister Lisa Neville said initial plans for a more permanent solution had been sped up.

"Permanent structures to replace the temporary bollards are currently in the design phase, and may consist of planter boxes, trees and street furniture," she said.

"For security reasons, the specific locations and details of future bollard locations will not be announced before they are installed."

There was a mixed reaction from commuters at Southern Cross Station.

City worker Jean, who declined to give his surname, described the bollards as "absolutely hideous".

"What next - barbed wire? It doesn't look good at all," he said. "Safety is paramount, but I'm sure there are other ways of controlling safety around the city.

"The world's most livable city, and now we're having concrete bollards everywhere."

Others were resigned to the fact the bollards were necessary in the current climate. "That's what it's come to isn't it, really?" said Steve Grant. "It's just the way of the world."

On Friday, Ms Neville also announced the introduction of three new state-of-the-art robots to help the bomb squad with surveillance, security and bomb disposal operations.

The robots include a small, fast machine known as the Dragon Runner, which can be quickly deployed to assess suspicious packages, improvised explosive devices or hazardous materials.

"This is the first time we've had a really small robot that's a bit more agile and is able to get into smaller spaces," Ms Neville said.