I object to the current proposed redevelopment of Berrima Gaol. While I strongly support the adaptive reuse of the old Gaol, my concern lies with overdevelopment of the site, the ugliness and inappropriateness of the proposed hotel design, the impact on traffic and parking in the village, and, of particular importance, its effect on the wildlife corridor it supplants and the fragile river environment.
We first visited Berrima in the seventies, were enchanted by its charm, heritage and connection with the landscape. We moved to a farm property near the village, and are very much part of the community. We love Berrima, its river walk, old buildings and character. The Gaol, like the Courthouse, the Surveyor General Inn and Harpers Mansion, is part of this important heritage, and we envision its future use to incorporate community activities, the aboriginal community , and include artistic and other activities which would result in wide community engagement and enrich the region.
We are dismayed that environmental and heritage sensitivity appears to be completely lacking in the design of a huge modern hotel block outside the gaol walls. Not only is this a visual eyesore in proximity to the other buildings, it does more harm than good to the river environment and destroys a beautiful part of the village. Parking and traffic will also be problematic and we are concerned that the amenity we enjoy in village life will not be sustained.

I am very opposed to the Blue Sox development and in particular:
1. the proposed build of a 50+ new hotel rooms adjacent to the west-facing Gaol wall so as to overlook the Wingecarribee River, which will detract significantly from the gaol’s unique heritage setting.
2. the proposed alteration of the Gaol’s stone wall to make a significant second entry point for public access.  This huge door is just 20 or so metres south of the main entrance

These two changes alone stand out as totally unsympathetic and unnecessary changes to the gaol.

They are driven more by the commercial gains of Blue Sox than the interests of heritage and the community.

The gaol and the adjoining court house and its Berrima setting have in the past been suggested as a potentially important addition to the current World Heritage Listing of the Convict Sites in Australia. If the Blue Sox proposal is agreed to it would ruin any chance of such a listing. There are many information sites for this World Heritage Listing including the following https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/news/world-heritage-listed-convict-sites-turn-15

Dennis McManus PSM, BA, Dip T & C Planning, M.Built Envir. (Heritage Conservation), Retired Town Planner (NSW Department of Planning) and Senior Heritage Officer (NSW Heritage Office)

I believe this development will be vital for helping Berrima’s economy continue to grow and thrive into the future.

This submission covers different issues

Dear Sir, Please see my attached submission of objection to this proposal

I have lived in Berrima for over 15 years and have been employed in the villages retail and hospitality businesses. For such a small, tranquil village Berrima boasts an extraordinary cultural heritage and a passionate local community. Berrima is unique for its ability to preserve historic sites whilst providing functional utility for locals and tourists alike. A standout example being the Surveyor General Inn; a successful, locally owned business with unique history that draws in a large tourist market without compromising on the wants and enjoyment of the local community. This concept is what makes Berrima so special.

I find the proposed Blue Sox' redevelopment of Berrima gaol into a boutique hotel to be grossly misaligned with Berrima's typical demographic, aesthetic, heritage, community values and small village scale. A boutique hotel containing 55 rooms provide no utility or improvements to the local community.It takes away from the locals ability to enjoy this space, their home. From my experience working in small business retail in Berrima the target demographic of the Blue Sox redevelopment seems to be a small minority of Berrima's typical tourist crowd. So how can one guarantee this fully serviced hotel will significantly contribute to the local economy? The proposed changes to the grounds including half of the gaols heritage walls is troubling. I find Blue Soxs attempt to preserve Berrima's heritage to be weak and mere quota ticking. A plaque on a wall to signify the historic place this ugly hotel has uprooted and destroyed. One typically doesn't find a 55 room hotel and 300 car carpark in a historic Georgian village so why is that an exception for Berrima? One of Australia's best preserved colonial villages, should we not aim to preserve that history?

Berrima's population is small at 813 people according to the 2021 census. A 55 room hotel could house anywhere from 110 to 220 people, approximately 25% of the towns population. This will strain local infrastructure and crowd the small village. It does not match the scale of the town.

Quite simply I think this development is not appropriate and we can do better for the town than this.

I am writing in support of the proposed Berrima Quarter Development as both an employee who works in Berrima and a regular visitor to the village.

Through my work in Berrima, I see firsthand the importance of maintaining a strong and active local economy. Small businesses rely on consistent foot traffic, a diverse offering, and a welcoming environment that encourages people to spend time in the village rather than passing straight through. I believe the Berrima Quarter Development will play an important role in supporting this by adding vitality, activation, and reasons for visitors to stay longer.

As a frequent visitor to Berrima outside of work, I value its heritage character, historic streetscape, and sense of place. In my view, the proposed development has been designed in a way that complements rather than detracts from these qualities. Thoughtful development such as this helps ensure Berrima continues to evolve while retaining the character that draws people here in the first place.

The development also presents an opportunity to improve the overall visitor experience through enhanced amenities, better connectivity within the village, and a broader mix of offerings. This benefits not only visitors but also those of us who work in Berrima and rely on a lively, well-supported local environment.

I see the Berrima Quarter Development as a positive and necessary investment in the future of the village. It supports local employment, strengthens existing businesses, and contributes to Berrima remaining a vibrant, working community rather than becoming static or overly seasonal.

For these reasons, I am supportive of the Berrima Quarter Development and believe it will have long-term benefits for the village, its businesses, workers, and visitors.
Yours sincerely
Nicholas Boye

I say yes to the development of Berrima Gaol