July 1, 2026,

Community Update: Letter to Residents & Businesses

18 June 2026

To the Residents and Business Owners of Berrima

Re: Berrima Gaol Adaptive Reuse Proposal – Project Update

Dear Neighbour,

We are writing to update you on progress of the Berrima Gaol adaptive reuse proposal. In December we received all the public submissions and NSW government agency responses to the proposal and we have now completed and submitted our Response To Submissions package to the NSW government. The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) are now reviewing our submission and we anticipate within the next two weeks for the submission to be accepted and made available to the general public via the NSW government Major Projects web site. Notifications should also be sent out to anyone who has selected to be notified through the Major Projects web site.

Government referral agencies will be invited to make their final responses to DPHI once the submission is accepted and made publicly available. DPHI will then finalise their recommendation and submit a final report to the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) who will then progress the application and begin their final assessment and determination. DPHI’s Assessment Report will be published and made available to the public along with any conditions of consent recommended by DPHI. For further general information on the assessment process followed by the IPC refer to their web site (see link next page) and click on ‘Our processes’ at the top of the page.

Based on the feedback received we have made some design modifications and improvements to the proposal including:

  • Increased flood protection measures for the carpark
  • Footpath and pedestrian connectivity works external to the site
  • Further detail provided on landscaping elements
  • Further justification for the proposed new opening in the eastern perimeter wall of the gaol including exploring options for the opening to be on the southern side
  • Maintain the internal structures of the guard’s tower (stairs and platforms)

We look forward to progressing the project into the final assessment phase and thank everyone for following us on the journey to realising a new and better future for the historical Berrima Gaol.

If you have any further questions please feel free to get in touch with the team by emailing us at: info@theberrimagaol.com.au Blue Sox Group 1300 911 000 www.theberrimagaol.com.au

Blue Sox Group

 

Web site links:

NSW Major Projects web page
www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/majorprojects/ projects/berrima-hotel

Independent Planning Commission of NSW
https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/

Project Face Book page
https://www.facebook.com/theberrimagaol

 

Some key facts about the project:

The project will –

  • Be a major tourism drawcard for the region and will increase economic activity
  • Draw new visitors, generate employment and create a landmark destination Support small businesses both locally within
  • Berrima and the wider Southern NSW region
  • Add much needed accommodation to the region
  • Make the site available to the local community to explore, learn and enjoy a variety of offerings
  • Help to drive activity within Berrima & surrounding town centres
  • Ensure the ongoing future protection of the gaol and its significant heritage values in perpetuity
  • Make a positive contribution towards the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035

 

Estimated economic activity –

Construction Phase:

  • Create 99 full time jobs during construction, supporting a further 316 full time jobs across NSW (In total approximately 414 jobs created and supported across NSW)
  • $169M output added to the NSW economy (direct & indirect output)
  • $15M Gross Value Add to the Wingecarribee economy and $68M Gross Value Add to NSW

Operational Phase:

  • Create over 60 new full time equivalent jobs on the site, supporting a further 60 full time jobs across NSW
  • Add $10M in output to the region and support a further increase of $19M in output across NSW
  • Add an extra $4M in Gross Value Add to the Wingecarribee’ s Gross Regional Product, supporting a further $9M in Gross Value Add across NSW

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