A Town Devoted to Its Feathered Friends
Penguin, a small coastal town in Tasmania's north-west, truly lives up to its name. From the iconic Big Penguin statue to penguin-themed bollards and even penguin pies on the bakery menu, the town's dedication to its feathered namesake is evident everywhere you look.
This dedication extends to the town's infrastructure, including its unique penguin-themed rubbish bins. These bins, first introduced in 1980, have become a beloved symbol of the town. In 2022, when the Central Coast Council announced plans to replace the bins with new ones, the community rallied to save them.
Over 1,600 people signed a petition to keep the existing bins, and one resident even applied to have them heritage listed. While the bid for heritage listing was ultimately unsuccessful, the outpouring of support from the community convinced the council to reconsider its plans.
The council has now announced that not only will the original penguin bins be preserved, but the new bins will also utilize the same penguin design. This decision has been met with joy by the community, who see the bins as an integral part of the town's identity.
The new bins will be larger and more efficient, while still retaining the beloved penguin design. They will be installed along Main Road, while the original bins will be relocated to another part of town. This compromise ensures that both the practical needs of waste collection and the town's unique character are met.
The preservation of the penguin bins is a testament to the power of community engagement. The residents of Penguin successfully advocated for their beloved bins, ensuring that this quirky and charming symbol of their town will continue to delight visitors and locals alike.