Don’t let the facts get in the way of the Big Tooth. Photo: Screenshot, Tidy Tooth Dental, Facebook.
Australia’s collection of big things is about to grow … um, bigger and whiter, with the announcement of a ‘Big Tooth’ coming to the new roundabout outside Broulee on the South Coast.
The giant concrete tooth is said to stand more than 14 metres high, and not only promote oral hygiene to locals and visitors alike but also – thanks to inbuilt nesting sites – serve as a sanctuary for “native endangered species”.
Just kidding. Remember what day it is?
The April Fool’s Day joke comes courtesy of local dentist surgery Tidy Tooth Dental, with clinics in Batemans Bay and Broulee.
The business shared a mock-up video to its official Facebook page which appears to show the tooth being installed at the roundabout.
“We all know Australians love their big things like the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour and the Big Potato in Robertson, and now we’ve got the Big Tooth in Broulee,” Dr Steve Tangney says in the video.
“We’re really proud to unveil the Big Tooth at the roundabout here at the intersection of Broulee Road and George Bass (Drive).
“It has 17 different hidden nesting sites for endangered birds and wildlife. It is cat safe and even has an incubator whose gentle whir will help soothe the local wildlife from the surrounding traffic.”
He thanks NSW National Parks and the NSW Government for stepping in to fund it, and perhaps gives the prank away by crediting the “meticulous design and input” to University of Wollongong’s “chief lead at the ‘Big Things for Wildlife’ project, associate professor April Fulz”.
“She really has done a tremendous job after the initial proposals were rejected by the Eurobodalla Local Council,” the video continues.
“It will stand to represent the importance of oral hygiene, the protection of native endangered species like the gang-gang cockatoo, and the role that lobbying from the private sector can achieve.
“So come along to Broulee, close a creaky gate to say hello to a gang-gang cockatoo, tickle the underwing of a southern eagleray, ponder the enigmatic puggles of the Eurobodalla and marvel at the Big Tooth.”
The Broulee Road/George Bass Drive intersection before work got underway. Photo: Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Construction on the Broulee Road roundabout started in September 2023, with an estimated cost of $2.6 million (made up of $2 million from the Australian Government’s ‘Black Spot Program’ and $600,000 from council).
“With more cars on the road and a history of serious crashes here, the roundabout will help keep everyone moving smoothly and safely,” the council says on the project’s web page.
The roundabout will include four exits, as well as islands and paths to “assist pedestrians and cyclists crossing the roads”, and new lighting.
It’s just missing a tooth.
