News
15 December, 2025
Big potato may be on the move – or lost forever
Love it or hate it – there is cloud of uncertainty over the future of Robertson’s famed Big Potato.
Love it or hate it – there is cloud of uncertainty over the future of Robertson’s famed Big Potato.
Plans have been lodged for a new supermarket in Robertson’s main street which leave no room for the iconic attraction.
Talks have already commenced about a potential new location but the Robertson Chamber of Commerce says they are at a very early stage.
There are also questions about the Big Potato’s structural integrity and whether or not it can actually be moved and who will pay for it to be relocated.
The Big Potato has previously been labelled one of the nation’s worst ‘big things’ but it has recently been given a new paint job to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ‘Babe’ and the Chamber is keen to see it “preserved” in a new location.
Pinkwood Park has been identified as a potential location.
The park is described on Wingecarribee Shire Council’s website as “a convenient rest stop with available parking”.
The development application – currently in the pre-lodgement phase - is for a new supermarket on the ‘vacant’ land where the Big Potato currently sits and associated alterations to the existing Friendly Grocer supermarket to create four small tenancies.
A Statement of Environmental Effects lodged as part of the application makes little reference to the Big Potato besides describing it as a piece of “community art” that would be relocated in consultation with the community.
It says a site has yet to be determined.
Neighbours have been notified of DA 26/1151 – including removal of the Big Potato – and members of the public have until February 3, 2026 to view the plans on council’s website and to make a submission.
The Statement of Environmental Effects says the proposed supermarket would be ‘catalytic’ in its potential to reinvigorate Robertson.
“The proposed development offers the opportunity for a complete revitalisation of this key site in its ability to both improve the character of the built form whilst keeping a key business (supermarket) in an improved format,” it says.
“At the same time the development will allow for a range of other smaller retail businesses to add interest and vitality to the village.”
President of the Robertson Business Chamber Jennifer Macquarie said preliminary talks had already commenced with council about a new location for the Big Potato.
She described it as an “attractor” and said the chamber was keen to see it preserved in a new location.
She said the Big Potato had been great for the community and local residents felt an attachment towards it.
At the same time she said it had “never been a sure thing” that the Big Potato would be there forever.
She said the new supermarket would be “great” for the community and would save local residents from travelling to Bowral, Moss Vale and centres like Albion Park for a full shop.
She said it would benefit existing small businesses and would service a growing population.
The Big Potato was built by local potato farmer Jim Mauger in the late 1970s to help promote the industry.
The Southern Wire understands it was originally supposed to house a kiosk or museum and its interior had been painted to look like mashed potato.
It was named Australia’s worst big thing in 2021 by a popular satirical Facebook page but received a fresh new look this year when it was re-painted by artist Samuel Hall to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ‘Babe’, which was filmed primarily on farms in the Robertson area.
The NSW Government website says the Big Potato is one of about 150 sculptures “and large structures of this ilk” scattered across the country.
When the Illawarra Highway/Hoddle Street land on which the Big Potato sits changed hands in 2022 the new owner reportedly pledged to take good care of the iconic attraction.
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