I support the proposal

The project is not within the original scope as per the intention of the reuse of the site. It is being over developed with construction to impact the site heritage significant items, such as the original stone walls.

I live in Berrma and have been a local resident since 2008.

1. The blocks of hotel rooms outside the western wall, facing the river, are overwhelming. (See attached photo from Appendix 5 – Architectural Designs (Pt.2), page 9.)
2. There is hole cut into the front wall with a large pivot door. The front or eastern wall is the gaol’s most visible and important wall. The four walls of the gaol are heritage listed but the plans have a negative impact on two of the four walls. Blue Sox have said that building outside the gaol walls is non-negotiable. Their plans reinforce this assertion.
3. The 186-year criminal justice history of Berrima Gaol is mentioned in the documents but there is no designated museum space where the stories of the gaol can be told.
4. The target demographic is clearly high-end, luxury. Berrima’s visitors range from seniors on bus tours to people with 5-star wallets. We believe the hotel, function centre, restaurant, and wellness centre will have little interest to the majority of Berrima’s visitors.

I wish to make a brief submission in relation to the proposed Blue Sox development of Berrima Jail, called the Berrima Hotel proposal.

I live near Berrima and have a long connection to the area. In making this submission, I acknowledge that the Berrima Jail is in private ownership and that it is important that previously public infrastructure can be repurposed to ensure a future for many valuable sites like this one. That said, I think it is essential that in a unique area such as the Southern Highlands and specifically a small village like Berrima, that any development should particularly endeavour to reflect the history of the building and the town around it, the local environment and the feel and style of the location.
In my reading about the proposal, I am concerned that it is a starkly different development for this small historic village and for a significant historic building, which once changed can never be put back.

Given the size and prominence of the Jail, the proposed development will have a significant visual and social impact that in my view is not in keeping with the style of the village, its very strong tourism focus which is anchored in its history and particularly in the original buildings which draw so many people to visit. From the courthouse, to Harpers Mansion, the Surveyor General Inn, the many original cottages, the historic churches to name only a few examples, in my experience the attraction of these is in the reflection of Australian and local history that their original format delivers so powerfully.
It is not possible to retain those effects at the Jail if there is a significant opening cut in its front wall, and tens of hotel units effectively abutting another major external wall, with multiple other changes to the site from parking facilities to internal activity inside the precinct. There has been discussion both prior to and since the sale of the site about more sympathetic repurposing of the Jail which could incorporate its own history and also reflect the history and style of the Berrima village, ultimately giving an opportunity for the Jail's history, both early settlement/colonial, war time and since, to be reflected and incorporated in any redevelopment. I reiterate that I understand the need for repurposing of the site, but I would strongly advocate that it should be in keeping with the whole of Berrima village and its history.
In my experience, Berrima is a community that is passionate about and thrives on its history, including local businesses which go out of their way to celebrate and promote that perspective in their own activities and approaches. I believe it is also seen as a significant tourism driver, which can easily be damaged by inappropriate, incongruous development, which as I have said, once implemented cannot be undone and returned to its previous situation.
There is no sign that the developers in this case have any genuine regard for that or any genuine intention to adopt such a path. The proposed redevelopment certainly does not reflect that in any way.
Australia's long and complex history, from the First Australians, to the colonial period and since is riddled with examples of destructive redevelopment of historic sites, which can never be repaired. I object to this unsympathetic redevelopment proposal and would urge its rejection. It is not the right development for Berrima, it is not in the right building and once the historic integrity of such buildings is lost, the character of the village in my view changes irreversibly.

This project will provide a number of economic benefits for the region. The employment generation, tourism, beautification of the proposed facility will be a beneficial attraction for the region.

This project will provide a number of economic benefits for the region. The employment generation, tourism, beautification of the proposed facility will be a beneficial attraction for the region.

The community, social and economic benefits of this project are indisputable and the economic impact to the region will be significant. Employment generation, periphery services such as local businesses will benefit and enable council and local services to be added to support the economic growth. There are only benefits from this.