Central Coast Council removes Scrabble sculpture, sparking war of words with locals

The sculpture is gone residents aren't happy. (Supplied: Therese Elsey Photography)

The Central Coast Council's decision to decommission a large Scrabble sculpture has been met with community opposition.

The artwork, which was unveiled at Bondi's Sculpture by the Sea in 2008, was exhibited around the world and has been located on the Central Coast foreshore since the council purchased it in 2016.

The council said a contractor assessed damage to the sculpture and confirmed it was a safety risk.

"The letters of the sculpture are cracked and chipped and may fall if pushed," the council said.

The sculpture provided a good photo opportunity for locals and visitors. (Supplied: Shery Stinton)

War of words

David Dworjanyn has launched a petition asking the council to start listening to ratepayers and bring the sculpture back.

The council has replaced the sculpture with a sign explaining why it was removed. (Facebook: Love Tascott)

"I can't see any danger of a tile falling on my head," Mr Dworjanyn said.

"Cement tiles — it's repairable more cheaply than the cost it would have been to the council to remove it and dispose of it.

"It just beggars belief that it's gone — it goes against the community standards and what the community wants.

"I don't understand and I don't think anyone in the community understands."

Another resident, Joy Cooper, said council should read its own cultural plan.

"One of the points is engaging in arts and cultural experience is vital to our community's wellbeing," Ms Cooper said.

Others have rewritten John Lennon's Imagine as an ode to the vanquished artwork:

Imagine there's no sculpture
It's easy if you try
Too busy asking IPART
To squeeze our pockets dry
- Luke Stevenson

The Imagine Scrabble sculpture was exhibited at Bondi's Sculpture by the Sea in 2008 and purchased by the council in 2016. (Instagram: emmaannawordplay)

End of an 'economic life'?

But others have defended the council.

"Most assets have an economic life beyond which it makes no sense to retain them," Kevin Armstrong wrote on Facebook.

"This applies to public buildings, private houses, vehicles, construction equipment and many other assets.

In a statement, the council said "the artist, Emma Anna, understands that the artwork is now a safety issue and agreed to decommission the artwork".

"She had always considered that the materials used would have a short life span," the statement said.

When asked about issue on ABC Central Coast on Friday morning, council chief David Farmer said it was the first he had heard of it.

With additional reporting by Emma Simkin, Caroline Perryman and Scott Levi