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A young person from the Land Down Under has faced legal proceedings after allegedly defacing a sizable blue sculpture of a mythical creature by applying plastic eyes to it.

Amelia Vanderhorst, aged 19, participated via phone at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in the state of South Australia on that day, charged with one count of property damage.

In a statement at the moment of the September incident, the local council said that CCTV footage captured a individual putting artificial eyes on the artwork, which locals have dubbed the “Blue Blob”.

Ms Vanderhorst did not enter a plea and informed the court she was unwell, as reported by media sources, with the judge recommending her to find a legal representative before her next court date in December.

A day after the reported event, the city leader said that restoration to the popular community sculpture would be costly as the adhesive eyes could not be detached without harming the sculpture.

“This intentional vandalism to a cherished community art is unacceptable and disrespectful,” Mayor Lynette Martin remarked in September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is pricey - it is also frustrating to those members of our community who have welcomed Cast in Blue.”

She said the local government would seek the “significant” repair costs from those responsible for the damage.

At the time the artwork was first proposed, it drew varied responses from the area residents due to its price tag and appearance.

Costing 136,000 Australian dollars ($89,000; £68,000), the sculpture depicts a mythical megafauna, with the creators influenced by an prehistoric anteater-like marsupial discovered in local caves that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.