Forum Meeting Held on 14 June

54 people attended the meeting, including Clrs Patricia White and Joanna Gash and Federal Member Ann Sudmalis.

Council Infrastructure Spending in Berry
We have been successful in working with Council to have three disabled/pram ramps installed to assist both residents and visitors to Berry. They are located in Alexandra Street opposite the war memorial, on the SW corner of Edward/Albert Streets and on the SW corner of Albany/North Streets. The persistence of committee member Margot Claringbold and Councillor John Wells ‘made it happen’.

We are also pleased to report that the BCAC and Council agreed to our request to fund a footpath along Alexandra Street (between North St and Albert Street) with kerb ramps installed at either end, to be constructed by a local contractor. When Berry District Park is completed, the street will become a main pedestrian thoroughfare.

Community Funded Solar
Peter Crick presented on behalf of RePower Shoalhaven, a member-based non-profit community group that develops community solar projects for businesses to save money and to reduce their carbon footprint. Peter explained how the RePower community funded solar model works, how they do business, the benefits for businesses and investors, and how local people can help.

Station Masters Residence (SMR)
Annette Frohling presented on behalf of the Conservation Committee for the Berry Railway Station Precinct (which dates back to 1892). Although in a state of neglect, the SMR (owned by Railcorp) is a very rare and unique example of an early design railway grouping and holds an important place in the history of the town. The building cannot be repaired, but there is potential to have the external appearance preserved rather than letting it be demolished. The Conservation Committee is gathering community support for this and a petition has been created to lobby the State Government.

Bangalee Motel DA
Some important misconceptions about the application were explained to help clarify the full impact of the proposed development –

  • Some advocates of the proposal on the Berry Facebook Page have referred to the existing motel structure as dilapidated and support it being bulldozed and replaced. However, the existing motel will remain and co-exist next to the proposed new buildings that will look very different.
  • There is also confusion over the height of the buildings with some believing it will be two storeys when viewed from Tannery Rd., when in fact it will be three.

The applicant’s drawings only shows the two new buildings, and the significant design misalignment with the existing structure is absent. The images below provide perspectives of the scale of development, with the existing building alongside the additional two buildings and car parking areas.

The Committee’s submission is based on the technical information and arguments put forward by Berry Historical Society and residents. In particular, the assessment by Council’s heritage advisor is shown to be deficient when compared to the precedent set by the RTA in 1999, which identified the site as the northern gateway to Berry and chose to protect the cohesive character of the Broughton Creek area following its heritage assessment rating of ‘Exceptional Significance’.

Changes Proposed for Huntingdale Park Development 
A separate meeting will be arranged for the developer to explain the application so that the community can make an informed assessment of the revised proposal.

Next Forum Meeting is 16 August 7.30pm at the School of Arts