It is a case of silver linings for a doomed Byron Bay public artwork with the sale of its second-hand parts raising more money than the sculpture itself cost.

Key points: A 12-metre-high public art sculpture designed to resemble Cape Byron lighthouse was dismantled last year following public outcry

A 12-metre-high public art sculpture designed to resemble Cape Byron lighthouse was dismantled last year following public outcry The artwork comprised more than 3,500 metal birds that have been sold off to the public

The artwork comprised more than 3,500 metal birds that have been sold off to the public This raised $64,000 — more than the $55,000 the council paid for the original artwork

The controversial structure was erected on a roundabout on the main road into the tourist town in December 2018.

But a public outcry saw the sculpture dismantled less than a year later.

It was nicknamed the "disco dong" due its phallic shape.

Made from metal with thousands of metal birds swirling around a conical shape, it was a 12-metre-high artistic reference to the Cape Byron lighthouse.

Petitions followed and then things got dangerous.

The sculpture became a focus for disgruntled objectors to hang everything from stuffed toys to flags causing concern from the local council.

"I wouldn't say that we took it down because of the controversy — we took it down because people were climbing it and it was becoming unsafe," Byron Mayor, Simon Richardson, said.

So the structure was dismantled, but in true Byron Bay style, the materials were repurposed.

Nostalgic value

Residents hungry for a piece of Byron Bay history queued for hours to purchase the birds which went on sale individually just before Christmas.

Annie Briggs was among them.

"I was interested because it was just a bit quirky and here was so much hoo-ha about the sculpture I thought it would be good to get a little bit of Byron history," she said.

"I lined and got there early, I think I was number two in the queue.

"I got a set which I use as 'ducks on a wall' like the flying birds on a wall and one for the top of the Christmas tree."

Annie Biggs used her birds to hearken back to the days of flying wall ducks. ( Supplied: Annie Briggs )

Local resident Richard Holloway loved the sculpture and thinks, in the right place, it could have really worked.

"I thought it was a very attractive work of art but just in the wrong location," he said.

"Had it been in a park where people could have walked around it and look at it thoughtfully, I think there would have been far less controversy."

Richard Holloway used the birds to pay homage to the original Byron Bay sculpture. ( Supplied: Richard Holloway )

Mr Holloway used his birds to make his own sculpture, riveting them together to hang in a tree as a mobile.

"It's just nice to have a little memorabilia and a reminder of what once was," Mr Holloway said.

White Elephant to a Golden Goose

Despite criticism levelled at the council for commissioning the work, the council has come out the winner.

The sculpture cost the council $55,000.

But there is nothing like a little capital gain.

"We've sold all 3,500 individual birds, we've raised just under $64,000 and after costs, we'll be allocating around $13,000 for homeless projects," Cr Richardson said.

The spirit of the controversial Byron Bay sculpture lives on with the birds a feature of homes across Byron Shire. ( ABC North Coast: Elloise Farrow-Smith )

Lovers and Haters

When the Byron Mayor saw the turnout at the sculpture sell-off he was surprised.

"I thought people were lining up for Splendour in the Grass tickets, but no, they were lining up for our birds," Cr Richardson said.

The community came forth in droves to buy the birds and everyone had a different reason for being there.

"There were some haters out there who were like 'big game hunters' who wanted to put a head on their wall of their trophy kill," Cr Richardson said.

Annie Biggs even decorated her Christmas tree with one of the controversial birds ( Supplied: Annie Briggs )

"But others wanted a bird because they actually quite loved the sculpture."

Demand for the birds is soaring with regular requests on social media from people who missed out.

The mayor hopes his stash of birds will turn out to his financial benefit too.

"I am glad that I have a couple under the house because all of a sudden it might be part of my early retirement."

What's next for Byron public art?

When it comes to dipping its toes in the public art market again, the council would next time be more prepared for the onslaught of public opinion.

"It's a tough pool to splash about in that's for sure because everyone has opinions about art that's for sure," Cr Richardson said.

Byron Shire Council removes the controversial sculpture. ( ABC: Bruce Mackenzie )

That has not deterred the Byron Shire council from future projects.

The council is also setting aside $13,000 from the money raised by the bird sale for future public artwork projects.

Lessons have been learnt and the council claims it rushed the project with the sculpture never completed to the artist's specifications or wishes.

Mayor Simon Richardson wants the town to have public art and says Byron Bay can do better than a dolphin sculpture.

"More than just a dolphin or a lotus flower, I think Byron can also have contemporary arts which pushes the boundaries in artist treatment," he said.

