This is a fantastic project, great for the Berrima community, I strongly support the project

Submission in Support of SSD-69498540 – Berrima Hotel
As Managing Partner of SoHi Partners, a Southern Highlands-based investment and advisory firm, I strongly support the Berrima Hotel redevelopment proposal.
The Southern Highlands is experiencing significant growth, and projects that sensitively restore and activate our heritage assets are essential to the region's long-term prosperity. The Berrima Gaol site represents one of the most significant heritage opportunities in NSW, and I am encouraged to see a proposal that balances adaptive reuse with preservation of the site's historic character.
From an economic development perspective, this project has the potential to create meaningful local employment, attract quality tourism to the region, and set a benchmark for heritage-led development in the Wingecarribee Shire. The inclusion of hospitality, accommodation, and community-accessible spaces demonstrates a thoughtful approach to placemaking that benefits both visitors and residents.
I am also impressed by the proponent's commitment to community engagement throughout the planning process. As someone currently exploring State Significant Development pathways for projects in the Shire, I see this as a positive example of how complex proposals can be brought forward with genuine local consultation.
I encourage the Department to approve this application and look forward to seeing the Berrima Gaol site restored to active use for the benefit of the broader Southern Highlands community. We need more jobs and economic diversity in this location, and heritage renewal brings life to old assets that has been successful strategy to in many global locations.
Andrew Speers
Managing Partner & CEO
SoHi Partners
Bowral, NSW 2576

Please see attached submission, which was reported to Council for endorsement on 19 November 2025.

We are objection to the Berrima HOtel SSD_66876472

I am writing in strong support of the proposal to transform the Berrima Gaol site into a hotel and entertainment precinct. This project represents an incredible opportunity for the community, local business, and the broader Southern Highlands region.

The Gaol is an iconic heritage building that has sat under utilised for years. Rather than allowing such an important piece of local history to remain dormant, this proposal brings life, purpose, and renewed value to the site. The adaptive reuse of the building ensures that its heritage is preserved while giving it a modern function that can be appreciated by both locals and visitors for generations to come.

From a community perspective, the redevelopment will create a vibrant destination where people can gather, connect, and enjoy unique experiences. It will attract tourism, support surrounding businesses, and stimulate economic activity throughout the region. The hotel and entertainment precinct will generate new jobs, provide ongoing employment, and offer flow-on benefits to hospitality, retail, and service industries.

Importantly, this proposal strikes a thoughtful balance between honouring the past and embracing the future. Converting an unused, ageing structure into something dynamic and accessible ensures the site remains relevant, respected, and beneficial to the community it sits within.

Overall, the redevelopment of Berrima Gaol is a positive and exciting step forward. It will breathe new life into a historic site, strengthen the local economy, and create a meaningful community asset that can be enjoyed by many.

I fully support the proposal and look forward to seeing its contribution to the region’s growth and vibrancy.

I object to certain aspects the proposal - specifically the development of the hotel complex outside the heritage walls of the existing jail. The details of my objection are set out in the attachment.

I support the adaptive reuse of the Old Berrima Gaol. The benefits of this project have substantial and far reaching positives for not only the local Berrima community but the Southern Highlands as a whole. I do think “Community” entails ALL villages within the southern highlands, not just the “local” community of Berrima. The Southern Highlands is in desperate need of a “jewel in the crown” so to speak. From the commencement of the project, the benefits will be immediate with jobs on offer to sourcing of local suppliers for materials.As well, the Southern Highlands is in desperate need of accommodation. From functions for small or big businesses alike to celebrations such as weddings, anniversaries or just a weekend away. Again, local suppliers, employment opportunities and the local established businesses of the community of the Southern Highlands will be the immediate benefactors of this project. I have researched several projects that Bluesox have undertaken, and in my opinion, they produce very high quality work with an obvious eye for detail. I do strongly support this project and believe the positives far outweigh any negativity. Whilst we all love our own little villages within the highlands, I truly believe this project will have major positive impacts for all the villages that combine to makeup the Southern Highlands, not just Berrima. We were drawn here from Sydney 30 years ago for a variety of reasons, and in those years we have seen a lot of progress not all, but the vast majority have been positive for the community. Whilst I understand there will always be those who would like to keep the status quo in the lifestyle that drew them here initially, I believe we have an opportunity to support this major undertaking that will benefit the whole of the Southern Highlands for generations to come.