Letter from the Blue Sox Group
Who are the Blue Sox Group, and what experience have you had in projects of this nature?
Director of the Blue Sox Group Mr Joe Wehbe has been a member of the Southern Highlands
community for over 20 years. Joe has a strong held passion for the region and a firm belief and respect
for its natural environment, unique local amenity, its history, and its heritage.
The group has completed numerous developments spanning land subdivision, multi-storey apartment
and townhouses, commercial developments, hospitality venues and hotels – including high end, luxury
and heritage listed projects.
Whilst the opportunity to re-purpose the Berrima Correctional Centre and its grounds is in its early
stages our initial thoughts and vision which we would like to share with the local community is to
create a vibrant, family friendly community hub which the local community and visitors to the area
will be able to enjoy for decades to come.
What is the Intended Future Use of the Property?
Our early ideas and vision for the Berrima Correctional Centre encompass the creation of a thriving
and lively venue in the heart of Berrima that has a focus on attracting and bringing people together
with immersive experiences whilst being respectful and supportive of the history and heritage
significance of the site which we will maintain and enhance. Our vision is to create a useful and unique
space that will become a favourite meeting place for locals and a must-see attraction for local and
interstate travellers passing through or visiting the Southern Highlands region.
This vision may best be achieved through the inclusion of boutique style hotel accommodation,
restaurants/cafe, event space, community engagement activity areas and spaces catering for small
business opportunities such as an antique shop, art gallery bookstore or library and considerations
towards public accessibility and how the history of the site may best be displayed to the public.
How will the project address the Heritage component of the site?
Any re-purposing of the site will include a synergy with the history of the site, the township of Berrima
and will retain the site’s impressive heritage structures. The community can be assured that any re-
imagining of the sites future will be sensitive to all aspects of heritage. With a firm belief that the
heritage characteristics of the site are its strongest and most valuable attribute any repurposing of the
centre will maintain its heritage.
Our vision for the site is founded on an underlying desire that any future use must be one of principally
serving as a guardian of the history and heritage of the centre whilst bringing to the region a new and
exciting place to work, visit, stay and enjoy.
We would also like to provide a place of education for visitors by promoting the history of the site and
the Berrima township and look forward to engaging with the local community on how best this may
be achieved.
Will you involve the local community through the redevelopment process?
We will consult with the local community in the early design and planning stages to identify ideas on
what the community would like to see the site transformed in to, what the community’s needs are
and to discover how best the sites re-purposing can support and help grow existing local businesses.
What do you anticipate to be the Economic outcomes of the redevelopment?
Re-purposing of the site will help generate temporary, permanent and casual employment through
the contracting for building works (sourcing of local labour, materials, skilled workers and local
resources), and the ongoing operation and maintenance of venues, facilities and businesses that
establish there. In addition we anticipate that the site will add a new draw-card for visitors, tourists,
and travellers which will bring additional revenue supporting local businesses throughout the Berrima
township.
What will be the Social and Cultural Outcomes for the redevelopment?
The most important social and cultural outcomes will be achieved through community participation
in the design and planning process and through the creation of ongoing future employment
opportunities. The success of the site’s future will be heavily dependent on the local communities
support, engagement and participation throughout the next stage in the life of the site. Our vision
includes and will rely on education and promotion of the sites cultural attributes, its cultural history
and its cultural significance to the Berrima township and region.
