An online petition has been set up calling on the NSW Government to halt the sale of Berrima Gaol and give the community time to have a say about its future.
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The petition was posted on Wednesday by Friends of Wingecarribee secretary-treasurer Ann Paterson, who is concerned the gaol will become a "big hospitality venue".
"We were promised community consultation, and the council was expecting that as well, so when the sale came up it blindsided us," said Ms Paterson.
"I've travelled extensively through Europe, and one of the best parts is looking at old places - some things should be preserved and not everything should become a commercial space
"Berrima is not the place for a big hospitality venue."
Expressions of interest in the gaol close on November 26.
The petition (which can be found at www.change.org/p/stop-the-fire-sale-of-berrima-goal) states:
"We call upon the NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey MP, to immediately cease the tender for Expressions of Interest for the freehold international sale process for the Berrima Correctional Centre in order to allow time for the community and Wingecarribee Shire Council to be consulted about the future of the site.
"This cultural heritage icon has been a part of the community for nearly 200 years.
"The whole community and Wingecarribee Shire Council needs to be consulted before calling for a tender, in order to ensure the government is acting in a way that reflects and represents the wishes of the community.
"There are many stakeholders in such a key historic culturage heritage site.
"It may not be appropriate that the entire site is sold off, but how would we know?
"By putting the entire site on the international freehold market the Minister is closing down options when she could be opening options up to maximise the potential of the area.
"We want the ensure long-term profitability for the region: economically, culturally, and socially.
"If we get the process right, we will get the result right and it can be a win for all concerned.
"If you wish your voice to be heard you can email the minister directly: oxley@parliament.nsw.gov.au"
Independent candidate for Wingecarribee Shire Council, Rachel Russell, urged residents to sign the petition.
"It appears to me that a broad cross-section of the community are shocked and concerned that this is a fire sale of a cultural heritage icon, and want to ensure their voices are heard by the minister," Ms Russell said.
She said that Wingecarribee Shire Council, in a letter to Ms Pavey sent three days before the sale was announced, had suggested a three-part collaborative consultation process to identify key planning principals and create a vision for the potential use of the site.
"The wheels of bureaucracy started turning without a response to that," Ms Russell said.
"But this site has far more potential than most public assets, and far more community investment."
She has written urgently to Ms Pavey asking her to pause the tender process until after community consultation.
Dear Minister Pavey,
I am writing regarding the decision of your department to put the former Berrima Correctional Centre on the international freehold market, in the hope you will pause the tender for Expressions of Interest until after the collaborative consultation proposed by Wingecarribee Shire Council with the State Government and the community has been able to take place.
While I am aware there is a process for disposal of public property which becomes surplus to requirements, I believe you will agree the former Berrima Correctional Centre is a special case due to its considerable and unique cultural heritage, in a location which has just won a tourism award due to the hard work of the local community. The former correctional centre is why a township exists at Berrima, and it is at the heart of the community.
I'd like to touch on three points as my reasoning for requesting you halt the current proceedings.
My first argument is economic. There could be far greater value realised from a sub-division and/or mixed use of the precinct. There needs to be a transparent process so the value can be maximised for both the region and the State. This in turn allows for a diversity of job opportunities which utilise different skill sets and maximises potential profits in the short and longer term.
My second reason for a pause in proceedings is on social grounds. The community cares about this site, and in many ways sees itself as a caretaker of its incredible heritage legacy. This extends beyond the residents of Berrima, former Correctional Services staff and heritage groups to the wider Southern Highlands and NSW community.
My last core concern is cultural in respect to the current culture of politics. Right now we are dealing with an unparalleled lack of public trust in politicians. Politicians are elected to represent the community, but how can that be if the community has not been consulted? Any suggestion there will be an opportunity 'down the track' in the process to consult the community does nothing to rebuild the trust that has already been broken by initiating tenders for a sale of such a culturally significant site without meaningful community engagement prior to this decision. At a time when ICAC is revealing NSW State politicians 'pork barrelling' with the public purse for political gain, a quick sale on a historic site simply doesn't pass the pub test.
There is no question this next phase in the life of the former Berrima Correctional Centre has the potential for being its best and brightest. If we get the process right, we will get the result right and it can be a win for all concerned. Consultation as the priority ensures we meet wider community needs through this process.
Respectfully,
Rachel Russell
Independent Candidate for Wingecarribee Shire Council
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