Central Coast pelican plan: Council dumps world record idea
While it won’t be a world record, there will still be a major pelican-themed piece of artwork at The Entrance – and the council is keen for the public’s opinion.
Central Coast
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Central Coast Council will not be vying for the world’s biggest pelican title.
However they are planning a major pelican-themed artwork at The Entrance to replace the dilapidated old Percy the Pelican statue which is long overdue for retirement.
Councillors voted not to pursue the world record attempt, suggested by Cr Bruce McLachlan, due to legal reasons hidden in a confidential item at this week’s council meeting.
The coast attracted national media attention last year after Cr McLachlan floated the idea of a record breaking pelican statue to rival the current world’s biggest pelican at the Pelican Rapids in Minnesota, USA. It would have also gone up against The Big Pelican in Noosaville, Queensland.
Instead, the council has decided to forge ahead and commission a “large-scale landmark pelican sculpture”.
The sculpture will compliment the existing pelican feeding attraction at The Entrance, with Cr McLachlan saying it was the coast’s “best known landmark events”. He said a giant hologram light show had been raised as a possible idea.
“Council will still support local tourism and our local arts community with an expression of interest for major public artwork, which is to include an environmental message,” he said.
“Hopefully now with the expert panel selected for Tuggerah Lakes we will finally see some action on The Entrance Channel, so future visitors to our iconic Pelican Feed will see improved water quality.”
Cr McLachlan said impacts of COVID-19 had dramatically impacted local tourism and council had a key role in helping drive economic recovery including supporting local events and attractions.
Mayor Lisa Matthews said the former Wyong council had always been a promoter of public art, with The Entrance identified as the ideal place.
“We are going to consult with the community who can have a say about what it will look like,” she said.
However Cr Matthews said the consultation could be put on hold during COVID-19 restrictions with council unable to consult with people in person.