Or rather, her likeness, cast in bronze, dressed in a lace bodystocking and electric red heels, was hauled from NewQuay Central in early April to make way for a $140 million, 18-storey apartment block to be constructed by the MAB Corporation.

Now her statue is languishing in an undisclosed warehouse alongside four other bronzed Australian entertainment legends - John Farnham, Dame Nellie Melba, Dame Edna Everage and Graham Kennedy.

Four of the statues, created by respected sculptor Peter Corlett have been in the Docklands since 2007, when they formed the centrepiece of what was supposed to be Melbourne's answer to Circular Quay's walk of fame. Dame Edna Everage came a couple of years late to the party, delayed after Sir Barry Humphries reportedly expressed displeasure at the bronze creation.

An 11-metre Variety Entertainers of the Century mosaic, featuring 100 Australian celebrities from the last century, has also been mothballed.

Simon Wilson, Docklands general manager for Places Victoria, said the artworks had "been placed in storage until a permanent location for them is determined".

"It is our preference for the artworks to remain in Docklands, which will be determined by Places Victoria in consultation with the artists and other relevant stakeholders."

The Banksia development that will replace them will feature 108 luxury apartments and be surrounded by a 4600 square metre park to be known as NewQuay Central Urban Park.