Ballina's Big Prawn Set for Demolition

Ballina Shire Council has voted to demolish the town's iconic Big Prawn landmark.

Set to be removed as part of a new development, not even a Facebook petition signed by almost 6,000 fans could save the giant fibreglass crustacean, which has been perched atop a Pacific Highway tourist complex at Ballina for almost two decades.

Citing the recent Heritage Listing of Queensland's The Big Pineapple, a report to Ballina Shire Council indicated that the Big Prawn had heritage value and its demolition would diminish the town's 'historic fabric'. This was not enough to influence the Council's decision.

As Council General Manager Paul Hickey explained, "the toughest issue for council is that we don't actually own the property, it's (in) private ownership."

However, the Balina attraction, which also houses a service station and fish and chip shop, may be relocated to Southport on Queensland's Gold Coast. Gold Coast Fishermen's Co-Operative has expressed interest in buying the attraction to promote its trawler-direct seafood outlet on the Southport Spit.

Meanwhile Ballina councillor Sharon Cadwallader is fighting to keep the Big Prawn in the town. Cadwallader says that the Big Prawn is a Ballina icon which provides significant heritage and economic value, stating "I definitely don't want it to go to the Gold Coast ... this is its home."

The attraction of 'Big Things' is explored in the November/December 2009 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

15th July 2009 - CELEBRATING BIG THINGS