The organisers of an upcoming art exhibition have demanded compensation from Brisbane City Council for the destruction of a caravan that was supposed to be the event's centrepiece.

Trailer Trash project organiser Trevor Topfer said council officers had removed the caravan from a local bridge club's carpark at the Yeronga Park in November, even though club officials had given him permission to leave it there overnight.

A van similar to the one destroyed by council.

Labor opposition councillor Helen Abrahams said the fact the van was destroyed within 24 hours of its removal was "extraordinary".

Mr Topfer said the previous owners of the 28-foot tri-axle caravan had a permit to tow it from the Darling Downs to Brisbane on November 9, but the holding yard where it was to be stored had closed by the time they delivered it.