Facebook campaign after Port Wakefield Rd protest sculptures the cockroach, Tin Man, Ned Kelly earmarked for removal

RUNDLE Mall could prove an unlikely new home for the giant cockroach that once sat off Port Wakefield Rd in a new campaign to save the famous Lower Light sculptures.

RUNDLE Mall could prove an unlikely new home for the giant cockroach that once sat off Port Wakefield Rd, as Andrew "Cosi" Costello starts a new campaign to have it relocated to the heart of the city.

Locals at Lower Light, 60km north of Adelaide, started making the metal monuments when the then-Liberal State Government decided to open a waste tip in the area in the late 1990s.

The protest artwork, built on the residents' own land, has turned into an unlikely attraction along Highway One for those travelling to Yorke Peninsula or further north.

South Aussie with Cosi TV host Andrew "Cosi" Costello started a Facebook campaign on Tuesday night, after learning the giant cockroach had been removed.

He launched a tongue-in-cheek campaign to find the sculpture a new home- even offering to buy it.

He has since contacted the Rundle Mall Management Authority, who he are willing to have the cockroach on display in the shopping precinct.

"What a joy it would be for Christmas shoppers to have the opportunity to visit this icon without having to leave the CBD," Mr Costello writes.

The Advertiser has contacted the Rundle Mall Management Authority for comment.

The move also depends on Mr Costello gaining approval to move the sculpture from its temporary home at Adelaide Plains Recycling.

Mr Costello said posts on the topic have attracted thousands of likes and more than 11,000 shares.

Lower Light resident Chris Lawrence, who helped build the sculptures, sad the cockroach was removed three months ago.

"The owner of the property it sits on, which also has the Tin Man and watch tower, has moved and wants to sell their home," she said.

Two Wells Regional Action Team president Eddie Stubbing took the cockroach to his business, Adelaide Plains Recycling.

"There's definitely no plan to turn it into scrap metal," he said.

"We're doing the community a favour by keeping it here, in safe hands until a new home is found," he said.

Mrs Lawrence's husband Kevin said maintaining the three sculptures on their own property- Ned Kelly, a giant rat and space ship- had become difficult.

"I've just had my 70th birthday, it's getting harder," he said.

"Every time we've mentioned getting rid of them, locals say they have to stay.

Mr and Mrs Lawrence said the community response to the sculptures potential move had been overwhelming and that they would remain at their roadside home for the foreseeable future.

"There has been a lot of talk, it's a bit overwhelming to think about the impact these sculptures have had," Mr Lawrence said.

"We know how popular they are, that people come and photograph them every day and with all the fuss that's been made we'll make sure they stay on display."

A giant toilet, to symbolise Gulf St Vincent going down the drain, sits on a third property.

The rat and cockroach are representations of politicians, Ned Kelly is meant to be former premier John Olsen, while the space ship was created to highlight how the area could be turned into a 'Waste Odyssey'.

Mallala District Council chief executive Charles Mansueto said the sculptures had gained international attention and were photographed daily.

The council has also produced a booklet detailing the history of the monuments, the purpose they served and their popularity.

"But they're on private land, it's not up to us if they move," he said.

Tourism Minister Leon Bignell has joined Mr Costello's campaign, saying each artwork tells its "own incredible story".

"I've told Cosi that I'm his man in government, whatever he needs me to do, I'm happy to do it to make sure the cockroach and other sculptures stay safe," he said.