Graffiti vandals deface Big Prawn

Last legs: Chainlink security fencing fails to deter vandals who have embellished Ballina’s tired-looking tribute to the sea as it awaits timely dismantlement.

David Neilsen

Poll

Will you miss the Big Prawn?

This poll ended on 16 April 2010.

Yes

77%

No

13%

I don't care either way

8%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

THE languishing, now defunct Big Prawn at Ballina has been targeted by graffiti vandals.

With the letters ‘EBC’ scrawled on one side of its body and an unsightly drawing of a penis on the other, the once iconic ‘Big’ feature of Ballina has taken the next step into becoming an eyesore.

Ballina Tourism and Hospitality secretary Dave Heggie is not impressed.

“It’s a shame when there is any graffiti around town and it shouldn’t happen,” he said.

“It’s supposed to have security and it seems that someone has snuck past that, leaving their tag to feed their ego.”

While Ballina police have not received any complaints about the graffiti itself they did confirm the bait and tackle shop in the complex had been broken into on February 25.

Residents who live opposite the Big Prawn were less than impressed with its new look.

“I knew about the graffiti on Saturday morning when another neighbour told me,” Joy Smith, a local resident, said.

“It doesn’t look good.”

Lloyd and Joan Jansson who also live across from the Big Prawn hadn’t noticed the graffiti but were not surprised by the degradation taking place.

“At night time there are no lights now,” Mrs Jansson said.

“But there would be enough lights from the road for them to do their graffiti.

“The Prawn has died, it’s just that we haven’t had a funeral yet.”

“I depend on waking up and seeing the Big Prawn each morning.

“I may have to buy a poster of it when it’s knocked down and put it on my back fence.”

The owner of the Big Prawn shopping complex, Santo Pennisi, was unavailable for comment despite a number of calls made by The Northern Star.

Related stories:

http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/.../bp-steps-in-to-fill-up-big-prawn-gap/

http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2010/02/02/ballina-bids-big-prawn-adieu/

http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2009/08/.../i-will-build-our-new-big-prawn/