Locals from Pelican Rapids in Minnesota are unfazed about losing the record to The Entrance in NSW

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Locals in a tiny American hamlet with the world’s biggest pelican statue say they are not fussed about the prospect of losing the record to an Australian seaside township.

The Central Coast council in New South Wales is considering building the world’s largest pelican sculpture in an effort to turn around its tourism industry.

The Central Coast councillor Bruce McLachlan has proposed a site at The Entrance, where daily pelican-feeding sessions take place. It would replace a much smaller pelican statue.

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McLachlan said giant landmarks such as the Big Banana at Coffs Harbour in NSW, the Big Merino at Goulburn NSW and the Big Pineapple on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland are popular tourist drawcards.

“They become ideal for selfie promotion and Google destinations,” he told the Central Coast Advocate. “We could make it interactive and educational around plastics and the environment.”

The world’s tallest pelican – known as Pelican Pete – was built in 1957 at Pelican Rapids in Minnesota, USA. It is 4.7 metres tall.

The Pelican Rapids local Jody Bowers said tourists came to the town of 2,500 people to visit the lakes and not specifically the giant pelican.

“Good for them, if they want to build it, I say go for it,” Bowers told Guardian Australia. “I don’t think it would affect us too badly.”

Bowers said local residents dressed Pelican Pete up for winter. “They put a hat on him and scarf,” she said.

The landmark was always centre stage during the town’s art in the park summer festival in July, Bowers said.

As well as Pelican Pete, which is made from an iron frame and plaster, Pelican Rapids is home to a 2.7-metre rusting replica of the Seattle Space Needle.

The Australian pelican came in 24th in Guardian/Bird Life Australia bird of the year poll in 2017 with 1.48% of the vote. The poll will return in October.