Maribyrnong Council is taking action against a contractor responsible for some of the redevelopment works.

Council CEO Vince Haining confirmed in a statement that it was taking action, but he did not detail what form the action would take.

"Council is aware of some minor defects that have occurred within the Nicholson Mall paving works and is seeking rectification of the defects from the relevant contractor," Mr Haining said.

Traders have long complained about poor quality of materials and workmanship, from cracked and stained tiles to discolouring of the yellow rubber surface that zigzags through the mall.

The council committed to a makeover of the mall, built in 1975, and $4.5million was contributed by the council and the state government.

Mayor John Cumming said the quality of work was unacceptable and it would be fixed, even if the council had to pay for it. "Just because we're in the western suburbs we're not about to accept that standard of work."

Footscray Traders Association president Grant Miles said Nicholson Street Mall had been an "obscene waste of taxpayers' money, for which no one was accountable". "If I were to have my backyard landscaped and this was the result, I would ask for my money back."

He said the lengthy construction period had hurt trade.

"We were told the long-term benefits would greatly outweigh short-term inconvenience.

"To now witness the decrepit state of the mall, with broken tiles, cracks and potholes is extremely disappointing. The most important lesson is making sure the same mistakes are not repeated again, which is avoidable with proper consultation and reviews put in place at various stages throughout construction. That has been the case in the recent upgrade of Leeds Street, and the great result there speaks for itself."