An Aboriginal Mural on the side of Sydney's Wayside Chapel at Bondi, which has been described as a key symbol of reconciliation, has been painted over and destroyed by the Chapel's management.

Key points: Mural painted in tribute to five Aboriginal Rights activists, including Eddie Mabo and Charles Perkins

Mural painted in tribute to five Aboriginal Rights activists, including Eddie Mabo and Charles Perkins Mural destroyed before community could apply for it to be protected, councillor said

Mural destroyed before community could apply for it to be protected, councillor said Aboriginal groups look at calling for boycott of Wayside Chapel By The Sea

The mural was commissioned by the Uniting Church in 2013 and painted by Etienne Cohen and Aboriginal artist Paul Davis in tribute to five Aboriginal rights activists, including Eddie Mabo and Charles Perkins.

"It was painted leading up to Reconciliation Week 2013 and signatured by Aboriginal children on Harmony Day and Close the Gap Day [that year]," said Waverly Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak, who is also of Torres Strait Islander descent.

In July this year, the Chapel's management issued a statement on their website about the renovations: "Our plans to rejuvenate the Chapel By The Sea site will benefit everyone in the area.

"Along with creating a flourishing community hub, 100 per cent of the profits from the social enterprises planned for the redeveloped site will go back into programs that support some of the most marginalised and vulnerable people in the area."

The Wayside Chapel By The Sea was established in 1993 as a drop-in space where people, including Indigenous people facing addiction, homelessness and mental health issues, can access essential support.

Councillor Wy Kanak said the mural was destroyed before Indigenous and community groups were able to make an application for it to be protected by an interim heritage listing to protect it from being destroyed.

"Before that could be decided by the Minister for Heritage, Mark Speakman, the entity [Wayside Chapel By The Sea] this afternoon have just gone ahead and painted over it," Mr Kanak said on Wednesday.

"As if it was never there, like some kind of bizarre modern example of Terra Nullius."

The Chapel was contacted for comment by the ABC on Wednesday, but no statement or response has been issued.

Mr Speakman, also the Environment Minister, said his office received an application for an interim heritage order on Monday, and that his staff were preparing a brief on the matter.

It was due to be assessed by the Heritage Council next week.

The mural was destroyed before Indigenous groups were able to make an application for it to be protected by an interim heritage order, Wy Kanak said. ( Supplied: Dominic Wy Kanak )

Mural important symbol of reconciliation

Mr Kanak said the mural was an important symbol of reconciliation for Aboriginal people across the country and was used to educate younger generations.

"It's been visited by [Aboriginal] school children from remote New South Wales," he said.

"The kids then put their handprints on the borderline, it signified their first visit to the ocean from an inland community."

The mural itself represents the "social justice struggle of five different elders: worker's rights activist Vincent Lingiari, welfare rights activist Shirley (Mum Shirl) Smith, land rights activist Eddie Mabo, voting rights activist Faith Bandler, and equal rights activist Charles Perkins".

"We've just celebrated 50 years since the Wave Hill walk off at Wattie Creek where Vincent Lingiari achieved workers rights for Aboriginal stockman," Mr Kanak said.

"That famous photo where prime minister Gough Whitlam pours a handful of sand into Vincent Lingiari's hand."

Mr Kanak said Aboriginal and local community groups were now looking at calling for a boycott of Wayside Chapel By The Sea in protest of its decision to destroy the mural.

"[Is this] how a religious and charitable organisation should be acting?" Mr Kanak asked.

"We're going to speak to the Minister of Heritage in NSW whether or not Wayside has breached any guidelines or laws in going ahead and painting over the mural. It's up for a painting heritage order assessment."