IT may not be as well known as tourist icons the Big Pineapple and Big Banana, but Yungaburra locals are just as passionate about their Big Frog.
A battle has erupted in the Tableland village, west of Cairns, to save the large fibreglass tree frog perched on top of the town’s service station.
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The Tablelands Regional Council wants it taken down because it breaches signage regulations, but the community reckons it’s art and they are demanding it stays.
Tom Skukan yesterday told The Cairns Post the 4m by 2m sculpture had been built by his mother-in-law, renowned Tableland artist Viven Plant, and was placed on top of the servo in March.
Ms Plant has also been responsible for fibreglass sculptures in the nearby townships of Millaa Millaa and Malanda.
"Viven has been a recognised sculptor for 50 years and when we took over the place she said she wanted to do a sculpture for us and she wanted to do a frog.
"I thought it would be ok and didn’t bother about going to the council."
Once word got out that the council had its eye on the town’s now iconic frog, it caused uproar. Hundreds of signatures have been collected in a petition and groups such as the Yungaburra Frog Club have also joined the fray.
"It has brought the town together and we are all fighting for a common cause," Mr Skukan said.
"Yungaburra is synonymous with frogs and while I am not saying the council is doing anything wrong, there is always something that’s going to come at them from the left field and they have to be able to deal with it."
Ms Plant was disappointed the council had not embraced the piece because it was only a bit of fun and it was liked by the community.
"I could understand if it was vulgar," she said.
"But people just love it and, after all, there are more frogs in
Yungaburra than people.
"I would have thought the council had a lot more things to worry about other than a frog on the roof."
Tablelands Regional Council Mayor Tom Gilmore could not be contacted yesterday.
