Could a dim sim be Australia's Next Big Thing?Cameron Houston | October 1, 2008
After railing against the Australian Grand Prix for more than a decade, long-suffering residents of Albert Park and South Melbourne are up in arms over plans for a giant, fried dim sim to rival Queensland's Big Pineapple.
The proposal for a 12-metre fiberglass dimmy, replete with observation deck, above the Clarendon Street shopping centre would be the biggest of its kind in the southern hemisphere, according to a massive billboard in South Melbourne.
Fortunately, the bold bid for a new Melbourne landmark is a marketing hoax, but local residents are not amused.
A website linked to the campaign has been inundated with complaints from irate locals, who prefer their dims sims in bite-sized portions.
"This is an absolutely ridiculous, unnecessary eyesore of an idea, that will bring only embarrassment to South Melbourne. The last thing the recent developments of South Melbourne need is a giant dim sim looming over it like some giant fibreglass turd,'' said one objector.
But others seemed impressed by the plan - with one even suggesting over-sized tribute to the iconic Chiko Roll.
"This is exactly what Melbourne's traditional tourist attractions need - something bold, new, unique and representative of our multicultural city,'' said another supporter.
While a fan of the humble dimmy, Port Phillip councillor Peter Logan poured cold water on the idea.
"South Melbourne is the home of some of the most creative marketing people in Australia, but if they think we'll approve this they may find we are not as dim as we sim!'' said Cr Logan.
