The 8-metre tall, 300-kilogram burger was unveiled at Waler Park on Australia Day as a tribute to the Australian farmers who produced the ingredients used in the burger.

However, the burger has angered many in the community, who say erecting any form of advertising next to a memorial is disrespectful to fallen soldiers.

Tamworth RSL sub-branch president Bob Chapman said while McDonalds pitched it as a tribute to farmers, it was “clearly a marketing tool”.

“The whole Waler precinct is sacred ground,” Mr Chapman said.

”That memorial was erected to commemorate the sacrifice of the men named on it. We don’t need bloody Big Macs erected around them.”

Mr Chapman gave council and McDonalds the benefit of the doubt, but wanted others to take note of the outrage.

“Let’s hope it’s a case of people coming up with a great idea, but not thinking about it,” he said.

“But from now on, people need to realise there is no room for advertising on sacred sites.

“It’s alright to support farmers, but it’s a tool for advertising and there is no room for the advertisement of any products near a memorial.”

Tamworth Regional mayor Col Murray said he had the “utmost respect” for the armed forces, but struggled to understand the outrage the monument had created.

“It’s also next door to a car park and your social media people aren’t having any problem with that," Cr Murray said.

The Leader asked Cr Murray if he would be comfortable with other forms of advertising around the memorial, such as a billboard.

“No, I certainly wouldn’t be comfortable with a billboard,” he said.

“This is a temporary promotion here for two weeks and I don’t have an issue with that.

“Tamworth is recognised as the agricultural capital of NSW. It is entirely appropriate to have this launch here.”