The NSW Minister for Planning the Hon. Anthony Roberts, announced that Berrima Gaol had been sold to the Blue Sox Group for $7m. Links to the Minister’s announcement and the Press Release from the Blue Sox Group is included below.
The Berrima Residents Association released the following statement on the NSW Government’s decision.
“The Berrima Residents Association (BRA) is particularly disappointed that the NSW Government failed to engage meaningfully with the community about the future use of the Gaol before announcing its decision to sell the property on 18 October 2021.
However, the decision to sell the Gaol to a private developer is now a ‘fait accompli’.
The Association notes the intentions of the new owner, as set out in the Bluesox Group Press Release of 20 May 2022, “to share with the local community its initial thoughts and vision for the site” and the assurance that “any re-imagining of the sites future will be sensitive to all aspects of heritage”.
The BRA vision for the site, developed in collaboration with the Southern Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2021 has many features in common with the Bluesox Group plans including “being respectful and supportive of the history and heritage of the site” while developing “… community engagement areas, … spaces catering for small business opportunities, a must see attraction for local and interstate travellers” and “how the history of the site may be best displayed to the public”.
Realising this common aim of delivering significant social, economic, and cultural benefits to the whole of the Southern Highlands community promises to be an exciting project and we look forward to working with the new owner as we move forward in coming months.
Anthony Roberts Geoff Lee med rel – Former gaol re-invented as boutique hotel
Blue Sox Press Release 20 May 2022