The iconic Big Spud, located off the Bass Highway in Sassafras, has been knocked down by strong winds over the weekend.
Locals took to social media on Sunday to share pictures of the fallen spud, which had been toppled at some point on Saturday night.
The potato landmark, fondly known by locals as Kenny Kennebec, was built by now Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and his dad over 30 years ago.
This enormous spud features hands, legs, a hat, a wide smile and originally served as a welcoming figure for travellers and passersby at a small potato stall by the roadside.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff says the spud is “obviously due for some TLC” and will be back “better than ever” soon.
“Apparently someone backed into it a couple of days ago, and winds on the weekend were the final nail in the coffin,” he said.
“It has to be resurrected and it’s in the back of a truck at the moment in our shed at Sassafras, and so we have to look at those renovations and get it back up as soon as possible,” Rockliff said.
The spud has weathered severe conditions in the past and even withstood shotgun blasts.
