PROJECT OVERVIEW:

After years of deterioration the iconic Winchelsea ‘mud hut’ was declared unsafe around mid 2022 by the Surf Coast Shire. It was then fenced off from public access. In late 2022 the Surf Coast Shire released a replacement design proposal for comment to the Winchelsea community. In response to that design, a petition was tabled at the 13 December 2022 council meeting, calling for a better design solution.
With the assistance of a council appointed project control group (PCG) the shire developed a revised shelter design which was presented at the council meeting on 23rd May 2023. The design was constrained by a pre-existing shelter design construction contract which had been fabricated but not yet installed.

The new community driven design featured additional structural engineering, beefed up retaining wall footings, a choice of rammed earth walls or cob walls and a circular timber screening for wind protection. The revised slab footings and timber screening were actioned within a scheduled building contract time frame.

The wall construction method of cob was pitched to council by a local advocacy group and supported by Growing Winchelsea specifically as a community engagement component of the project. The concept was approved by council on condition the cob component be maintained by the community and not by the shire. The maintenance guidelines of shire asset management has no capability to maintain the cob technique.
The installation proceeded as an artwork rather than an asset under the guidance of NSW contractor ‘Mud Fun’, with much fun had by many local school children and parents.

In summary, the cob wall component of the Winchelsea Gathering Space is an ‘Earthen Artwork’ which is to be maintained as a community initiative entitled - ‘Let’s Get Together’.

Project Objectives: 

1. To maintain the ‘Earthen Artwork’ element of the ‘Winchelsea Community Gathering Space’ shelter against the effects of weather and vandalism.
2. To engage the Winchelsea community in the ongoing maintenance of this earthen artwork.
3. To recognise and celebrate the past, present and future of Winchelsea Community Gathering Space.

Project Funding: 

1. A Surf Coast Shire ‘Community Initiatives Grant’ was obtained under the title ‘Let’s Get Together – Mud Hut Celebration’.
2. Grant amount: $5000 inc. GST
3. In-kind support - $tba

Project Outcomes:

The Winchelsea Community Gathering Space with its feature cob wall maintenance celebration helps bring people together under one roof. In doing so it establishes connections between diverse communities and their gathering spaces.

Project Acquittal: Pending.

Related Activities:

An all ages summer event took place over the first week of March 2025 around the creation of the wall around three sides of the Winchelsea Mud Hut, under the guidance of the cob wall building contractor – ‘Mud Fun’.
Activities included drummers, music and dance ensembles, a sing-a-long celebrating the barefoot mud mixing, blob forming and finally the cob wall construction.