Big Prawn could be shelled | Northern Rivers Politics | Local Politics in Northern Rivers

After nearly 20 years dominating Ballina's southern approaches, the Northern Rivers' favourite faded pink crustacean has been slated for demolition

Jay Cronan

THE Big Prawn, one of Ballina's most famous tourist attractions, will be demolished early next year if plans to redevelop the Caltex site are approved by Ballina Shire Council.

Landowners Dojoo Pty Ltd this week lodged a development application with the council for the demolition of 'all structures' at West Ballina.

Dojoo's managing director, Santo Pennisi, has confirmed the Big Prawn will be demolished, but refused any further comment.

“At this stage I have got no idea (about future development plans for the site). I don't really want to make a comment on this,” he said.

The 14-metre high Big Prawn was built in 1990 at a cost of $500,000. Tourism groups have warned getting rid of it could affect tourist numbers.

Tourism Ballina secretary Dave Heggie said it 'would be a shame' to lose one of Australia's 'big things'.

“The Big Prawn is world-renowned. It's an icon for the area,” he said.

“Every day there are cars stopping and taking photos of the Big Prawn, especially overseas tourists. They love it.

“To lose it would not be good. The Big Prawn is also a big employer for the area and it will be a shame to lose that.

“The Big Prawn is something that is on a lot of pamphlets and websites. It's a part of Ballina and it has been here for a long time.

“We need as many tourist attractions as we can, especially once the bypass is built.”

Approval to build the prawn was first granted by the council in 1988, despite staff recommending the project not go ahead because of the height and bulk of the building.

There were 163 objections from the community to the proposal.

One of the former councillors, Graham Ellis, was reported to have said if the sugar industry was 'number one', a Big Stalk could have been built instead.

Goulburn-based developers, Louie and Attilla Moknay, of LA Developments, were behind the project.

They also built the Big Merino at Goulburn and the Big Oyster at Taree.

University of South Australia art school technical officer, sculptor James Martin, designed the prawn after studying the largest tiger prawns he could find under a microscope.

LA Developments went into receivership in 1994, and the prawn was bought by Lennox Head developer, the late Norm Newton, in 1995. He sold it in 1999 and it is now owned by Mr Pennisi.

A report for the council, prepared by Newton Denny Chapelle on behalf of the landowners, explains the demolition will 'remove all the buildings, however retain the building slabs with no disturbance to be made to the ground surface'.

“The current operation of the site for a service station and associated retail uses will cease operation in early 2010,” the report said.

“To this end, all buildings currently on-site will become vacant.

“The landowner intends to lodge a separate development application for the redevelopment of the site and as such seeks to demolish all structures to facilitate this future development.”

Tourists were once able to climb up and look out of the eyes of the giant crustacean.

But that entry has been closed, with a sign currently on the stairwell entrance blaming 'low-life idiots' who damaged the upstairs area.

In recent years there have also been numerous complaints that the prawn needed to be repainted.