Young skaters and friends of a teenager killed in a crash say they are "disgusted" by the decision of eight councillors to paint over a colourful mural created in tribute to the former surf life saver.
The local state member has also weighed in on the controversial decision by Mackay Regional Council, claiming it was "out of touch" with the central Queensland coastal community.
"My concern is that this mural and community consultation wasn't actually the focus of that council decision, that there is local politics going on," Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm said.
"Why it's so important to undertake engagement with young people, is that they don't have a vote and they are marginalised in their ability to have a voice," she said.
Will Baker was a keen skater and volunteer at the Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club who died in a motorcycle crash on May 28 at the age of 17.
The community subsequently raised money to honour him by creating a mural at the Camilleri Street Skate Park in Mackay.
Retrospective approval recommended
Artist Anita Laura was commissioned to create the mural but began painting before the official approval was given by council.
Council officers accepted it was a genuine mistake through miscommunication and recommended retrospective approval be given.
It was painted over less than 24 hours after the decision.
A 'power trip'
Friends of Will gathered at the skate park on Thursday afternoon, looking at the bland grey paint that had been used to cover what was a colourful skate ramp wall.
They explained that during the shock of their friend's death, they would gather at Will's Wall — named after Will because he was the first skater brave enough to drop-in from it — and comfort each other.
Orlando Cran, 16, called council's decision a "power trip", noting that it could spend money to paint over the mural but not fix the broken drink taps at the park.
He said the skate park community had worked to remove the existing graffiti from the wall so the professional artwork could be done.
"[We've gone] to all the efforts to remove all the graffiti [and] get something good done," Orlando said.
"And finally, we feel some sense of peace, but then it's just taken away."
Political battleground
Councillors Martin Balla, Justin Englert, Belinda Hassan, Fran Mann, Pauline Townsend, Alison Jones, Laurence Bonaventura and Pauline Townsend all voted to paint over the mural.
Deputy Mayor Karen May made a motion to pause the destruction to first consult the community, which was backed by Mayor Greg Williamson and councillor Michelle Green.
The ABC requested to speak to Mr Balla after the council meeting, and Mr Bonaventura at the skate park while the mural was being painted over, but both refused.
Mental health advocates have previously raised concerns about the damage painting the half-completed mural would have on the region's youth, who were already dealing with the death of a friend.
Friends 'disgusted' by decision
Friends of Will were not present when the mural was painted over, saying they could not handle watching it disappear.
Skater and friend of Will, Ashley McGrath, said he could not comprehend the council's decision to paint over something so meaningful.
"I was disgusted with them and their decision, because it's just artwork at a skate park," he said.
"That's a normal thing.
"I was informed that we had done all the right stuff to get it put up — we had a petition signed — everything like that.
"And the fact that so many people wanted it … it's just crazy how they just made that decision.
"I don't know why they came down on us like that."
Decision to 're-traumatise'
Ms Camm, a former deputy mayor, said the decision went against the council's own policies to consult with young people who were not able to vote.
She recalled the day the park was opened.
"Will Baker was the first boy that went down that wall," Ms Camm said.
"The impact, the positive impact he had on young people in our community is what he should be remembered and honoured for."
Ms Camm said Will's family did not want a memorial for their son but were supportive of the artwork being installed at the skate park.
"But they also now feel and recognise the re-traumatisation that this [ordeal] will have on young people," she said.
"The Baker family have been very strong in their commitment to young people."
A beloved 'ratbag'
Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club president and former councillor Ross Gee said the local government should expect backlash from the community, with locals already calling to graffiti the freshly white-painted wall.
"Council is going to waste a lot of ratepayers money coming back here and cleaning up the skate park wall," he said.
Mr Gee's prediction was correct. The wall was covered in graffiti less than 12 hours after it was painted over.
Mr Gee said he would cherish Will's work for the club.
"He was a ratbag — everyone loved him for that — but he also gave his time and made sure that the younger kids were looked after, that they were safe," Mr Gee said.
"[He] contributed to the community that's now defending him."
