Bring on a big beaver

a beaver one,’’ Lochead said. ‘‘Visitors will want to know why we have a beaver sculpture when we’re located in a country that’s never even had the creature.

‘‘They’ll spend an hour or two in Blenheim to find out information on why it’s a beaver and to take a photograph with it.

‘‘The longer people spend in town, the better.’’

If installed, Blenheim’s chalk beaver would join the long list of novelty sculptures in New Zealand, including the Big Carrot, in Ohakune, the L&P Bottle, in Paeroa, and the Gumboot, in Taihape.

While the sample artwork provided in the submission showed an outline of a beaver, Lochead said a ‘‘filled beaver’’ would have ‘‘far more impact’’.

‘‘This would help it stand out from quite a distance away,’’ he said.

The submission said the figure would ideally be visible from State Highway 1, as visitors drove into town from Picton.

Lochead said although he thought strong sculpture visibility was crucial, he ‘‘had no specific hill picked’’.

‘‘Whichever one works best,’’ he said.

Blenheim construction firm Crafar and Crouch was identified by Lochead as the ‘‘best contractor to carry out such work’’.

The submission said Crafar and Crouch managing director Norm Crafar proposed using waipapa lime chip as the base, due to its lower cost, availability and stable nature.

The project was estimated to cost the Marlborough District Council about $55,000.

Council strategic planning and economic development manager Neil Henry said it was ‘‘not considered likely’’ that the project would attract government funding as a stand-alone project due to the uncertain benefits.