Local artist Rick Reynolds created the sculptures in 2007 from the trunk of a 200-year-old tree that was struck by lightning.

They were on display near the intersection of the Oxley Hwy and Pacific Hwy, but have now been taken down.

The sculptures were commissioned by Sovereign Hills and are valued at $25,000, the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council website says.

Director of the Sovereign Hills project Robert Yandell said they were “never intended” to remain in the prominent position.

“We put it where we put it because it was very visual coming into Port Macquarie, but that was never intended to be a permanent location,” Mr Yandell said.

He said the sculptures were moved so contractors could continue work on the multi-million dollar development.

The sculptures are expected to feature prominently near the Sovereign Hills town centre and a position is yet to be finalised, he said.

But one resident has expressed concern about the carvings’ present position, lying beside the road near Sovereign Hills.

“That seems an inappropriate way to treat possible cultural pieces of art,” Chris Willmott said.

“I’m not the rabble raiser. I was just driving past, but to me it’s in a very prominent position.

“Welcome to Port Macquarie, and you’ve got a couple of carvings piled up there with weeds growing over them.”

Mr Yandell said the sculptures would be moved “in the near future” to avoid vandalism while construction of the town centre was underway.