Berrima Correctional Centre sold to Blue Sox Group for $7 million

A former heritage-listed correctional centre in the Southern Highlands will be transformed into a hotel and entertainment precinct, following its sale to a prominent real estate development company.

A former correctional centre in the Southern Highlands will be transformed into a hotel and entertainment precinct, following its sale for $7 million.

The 1839 heritage-listed Berrima Gaol was put up for sale in October last year, and will now belong to the company Blue Sox Group.

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the sale of the correctional centre was an outstanding result.

“I am excited to announce that Blue Sox Group is the successful proponent and will redevelop the site, carefully considering its heritage significance to the local community,” Mr Roberts said.

“The proposal incorporates a boutique hotel whilst retaining the beautiful grounds of the estate, and will include cafe, restaurant, bar, community and event areas, and spaces which will cater for small business opportunities such as antique and book shops, personal services, art galleries, library and museum.”

Minister for Corrections, Geoff Lee, said it was crucial that the winning proposal needed to consider the historical and cultural importance of the site.

“The Berrima Correctional Centre opened in 1839 and had many uses, including being a German prisoner camp during World War I, a training centre, and minimum-security prison for men that was later converted to also accommodate women,” Mr Lee said.

Berrima Gaol operated between 1939 - 2011 and reopened in 2016 to then close for good in 2020.

“The NSW Government retired the correctional centre in 2020 and I’m excited to see how the site will be transformed.”

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said Property and Development NSW conducted a rigorous Expressions of Interest (EOI) process.

“I am confident the EOI criteria was structured to ensure the successful proponent delivered a strong proposal that provided a broad range of social, economic and cultural benefits for Berrima and the Southern Highlands and that the community will embrace the vision the proponent has for this significant property,” Ms Tuckerman said.

The state heritage-listed buildings on the site will be preserved and protected and Blue Sox Group will work with the community, local Indigenous groups and the Local Aboriginal Land Council on collaborative ideas on how to preserve and celebrate the wider site’s heritage.