News
12 December, 2025
No ‘rigorous review’ of gaol proposal: National Trust
The National Trust of Australia (NSW) has refuted claims it was involved in any ‘rigorous review’ of the adaptive re-use proposal for Berrima Gaol.
The National Trust of Australia (NSW) has refuted claims it was involved in any ‘rigorous review’ of the adaptive re-use proposal for Berrima Gaol.
The claims raise serious questions about the legitimacy of the documents lodged as part of the controversial proposal.
Blue Sox claimed in its application that the proposal had been subject to a ‘rigorous review’ by the National Trust and that its feedback had been incorporated into concept designs lodged with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
The National Trust ‘expressly refuted’ the claim in its submission on the State Significant Development (SSD) proposal.
“This statement makes it appear that the design that has been proposed has resulted from some form of consultation with the National Trust and indeed that any suggestions made by the National Trust have been incorporated into the design,” the submission says.
The National Trust said it had “in no way” undertaken any form of documented ‘rigorous review’ of the proposals.
Members of the Trust’s Southern Highlands branch had attended two presentations by Turner Architects at which ‘some images’ were displayed on a screen but no documentation was provided for review prior to or after these meetings.
Branch members were also contacted about the Conservation Management Plan – but only after the CMP had been completed.
No feedback from the Trust had been incorporated into either the CMP or the design and no-one from the project team had contacted the head office of National Trust (NSW) for comment.
The Blue Sox proposal includes boutique accommodation outside of the gaol’s western wall, a 195-space carpark to the south and a restaurant, function and wellness centre inside of the gaol walls.
Community group Berrima Heritage Matters has described the Blue Sox Proposal as “inappropriate overdevelopment” of the site.
The National Trust has taken particular issue with a proposed ‘intervention’ or opening in the gaol’s front wall.
The opening is being proposed by Blue Sox to facilitate indoor/outdoor dining but the National Trust says the wall itself is of “outstanding heritage significance” and has described the opening as a ‘penetration’ as opposed to an ‘intervention’.
It refers to the applicant’s own application, which says the gaol walls are a “dominant representation of the gaol from the public domain and make a significant contribution to its landmark status within the historic centre of Berrima”.
The Trust says it cannot understand – given the outstanding heritage significance of the wall – why a new penetration would be located so prominently and almost directly adjacent to the existing entryway.
It says the existing gaol wall should be retained and conserved without alteration or addition.
New penetrations would not be acceptable “except as part of reconstructive works to re-establish former openings where they have been blocked up”.
“The Trust feels that a new opening that is immediately adjacent to and wider than the existing main historic entry gate cannot be justified.
“The whole notion of the gaol walls and the major entrance gate (both noted as of exceptional heritage significance, and of substantial scale) is to reinforce the Berrima Gaol as a place of confinement.
“The Trust feels that the proposed intervention will have a major impact on this important element of the place and its significance,” the submission says.
“The Trust would suggest that if a new wall penetration is required, it can and should be located in a much more useful and much less obvious location.
“For example, it would appear that a new opening along the southern wall would retain the integrity of the existing main entry, provide direct access from the carpark, be far more recessive and provide access to the cluster of buildings in this area (police cells, governor’s residence, sheds, etc) that would in turn improve their potential for activation.
“The Trust also notes that ‘opposition to entrances in the front wall as it is a major alteration’ has also been identified as a major concern during community feedback.”
The Trust also argues in its submission that a proposed carpark pavilion is “another intrusive element” which is not in keeping with the rest of the site and is “seemingly at odds with its surroundings and the rest of the design”.
It says the pavilion will block the view of the sky and the wall for those people arriving at the gaol by car.
“A simple opening in the southern wall would allow for the imposing nature of the wall and sky to be experienced by all who arrive and would allow for an always accessible entry point instead of being reliant upon a lift to gain access to the inside of the gaol.”
The Trust also says the Governor’s residence and Deputy Governor’s residents should be included in the redevelopment given their street presence and “apparent ability for adaptive re-use”.
“It is the opinion of the National Trust there would be an advantage in activating the gaol through its street frontage through proper consideration and re-use of these residences.
“The use of these two building as public spaces, such as a café, restaurant, gallery or information centre would be an excellent opportunity to engage the whole of the gaol landscape, activate public interest along the streetscape, and ensure the ongoing conservation of these important heritage buildings.
“To leave them disconnected from the rest of the site, and not included in such a major proposal, would be a poor heritage outcome and we urge further reconsideration of these elements.”
Berrima Gaol has been listed on the National Trust Heritage Register for 50 years. It is considered to be a rare and unusual heritage site and is of great significance to the local community.
Submissions on the Blue Sox adaptive re-use proposal closed on November 26.
Submissions are currently being collated.
Read More: Berrima, Southern Highlands