Related: Landmark public art proposed as a gift for Dorrigo

Petition organisers Michele Zbudowski and Maria Fewster said the 'Water Cloud' sculpture is not congruent with Dorrigo's heritage streetscape.

They also expressed concern that community consultation has been inadequate given that it occurred when people were distracted by bushfires and Christmas.

Council's Community Wellbeing Manager, Alison Pattinson, who took receipt of the petition, said allowance was made for those factors by having the public exhibition period run for six weeks, from November 27 to January 8, twice the normal length of 21 days.

However, the opportunity to provide feedback has now been extended until 10am on Monday January 13.

Titled 'Water Cloud Sculpture Won't Make it Rain Tourists', the petition suggests that in its proposed form and location, the sculpture will "visually conflict with the heritage streetscape of Hickory Street", "create a major distraction for motorists that will compromise the safety of pedestrians" and "attract roosting birds and potentially lightning strikes".

"The sculpture is more likely to be construed as a UFO than a cloud and is inconsistent with existing tourist drawcards of the railway museum, natural environment and pioneer history," the petition says.

Related letters:

Sculpture under a cloud

Sculpture threatens heritage values

Rise up, Dorrigo, and speak on the sculpture

Michele Zbudowski, who has lived in Dorrigo for 23 years, said she has shown the concept design to many locals and visitors who have expressed surprise and shock.

"They don't want to see that go up. They think it's tacky, that's the word commonly used. Someone said is it a Libra pad? Someone said is it a thong? UFO is a big one too.

"I said to council, don't let this be another Byron Bay Disco Dong fiasco. They only had that up for nine months, the public detested it so much."

Dismantled in September, the aluminium Byron Bayshore Drive Lighthouse Sculpture was supposed to depict birds circling the iconic lighthouse but according to the public it was more like a half-assembled Christmas tree, a messy roll of aluminium foil or a sparkly sex toy.

Michele said the Chamber of Commerce believes 'Water Cloud' will rejuvenate business in the town by encouraging tourists to stop and shop, but she thinks it may have the opposite effect.

"I'm really concerned that it's going to turn tourists off coming here. They love the town as it is."

She's written a letter to council suggesting that the sculpture could be put somewhere else, perhaps in one of Dorrigo's parks.

"We're not opposed to the art piece in itself. It has merit. But not where it's planned to be placed."

ONLINE: https://create.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/dorrigo-public-artwork

EMAIL: APattinson@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

IN PERSON: Att: Alison Pattinson, Bellingen Shire Council

After submissions close at 10am on Monday, council staff will prepare a report with a recommendation for councillors to vote on, which they will possibly do at the January 29 meeting, to be held at 9pm in council chambers, Hyde St Bellingen.

The Business Paper (agenda) containing the report will be published on council's website by close of business on Friday prior to the meeting.

People wishing to address the councillors on matters before the meeting need to complete and return the form available here before midday on the day preceding the council meeting.