The kookaburra, the town’s mascot, is expected to be on site sometime this month for an official unveiling on December 14.

Kurri Tidy Towns Secretary, Bill Way, said the group approached Hydro Kurri for assistance to build the statue and they agreed in what will be a gift to the town on the aluminium producer’s 40th anniversary.

However, council’s decision came after it considered a report from planners that the statue was not in the public interest. The objections centred on it likely to impact in terms of its context and setting on the aesthetics and scenic qualities, character and amenity of the locality and streetscape.

In addition it was considered the scale of the development was inappropriate and likely to have a negative impact on the public domain in terms of the sculpture’s dominating and unsuitable presence close to two significant sites of remembrance and memorial.

These sites referred to are the Rotary Park Honour Garden, the war memorial and Coal Miners’ memorial.

The report went on to say the proposal is categorised as public art and is recommended for refusal due to its unacceptable bulk, aesthetic impact and context in the park.

The kookaburra is synonymous with the area, appearing on all murals in the town as well as on the logos of Kurri Tidy Towns, Kurri District Business Chamber, Kurri Golf Club as well as some sporting teams.

The sculpture’s footprint is 2.4 metres square and 4.6 metres high.

HOW THE STATUE TAKES SHAPE

Pokolbin artist Chris Fussell has spent about a year creating the signature statue for Kurri.

Mr. Fussell was approached by Kurri Tidy Towns about making the kookaburra, and as he had predicted a quiet year ahead, accepted the challenge.

The creation currently sits in three pieces at his studio – head, body and tree – waiting for foundations to be dug at Kurri’s Rotary Park.