His 25 predecessors have their bronzed likenesses sitting proudly on the Prime Minister's Avenue in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

The date underneath former Prime Minister John Howard's bust indicates he is still in power and has been since 1996.

But on November 24, 2007, Mr Rudd won the election against Mr Howard with a 5.7 per cent swing to Labor.

Sculptor and cartoonist Peter Nicholson has been commissioned to complete the work, having also done the previous three prime ministers - Mr Howard, Paul Keating and Bob Hawke.

He was also commissioned to do a replacement of Malcolm Fraser, which was originally designed by local sculptor Victor Greenhalgh.

Mr Rudd sat for Mr Nicholson more than a year ago - back on October 18 last year - when the sculptor took the measurements of "Kevin 07's" cranium.

At the time, City of Ballarat chief executive officer Anthony Schinck said the bust should be completed by early 2009.

Yesterday, council was unable to say when the unveiling of Australia's 26th prime minister might be or what the delay was.

When Mr Howard was elected in March 1996, it took less than 11 months for his bust to be finished and the former prime minister visited the golden city for its unveiling on January 29, 1997.

The Courier was unable to contact Mr Nicholson.

Richard Armstrong Crouch began the avenue in 1940 and he paid for the first six busts.

He also left a bequest for its continuance after his death, which covers half the cost.

Mr Crouch was born in Ballarat East and elected to federal parliament in 1901.