Shoalhaven City Councillors voted to approve a controversial development of the Bangalee Hotel in Berry.
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The $800,000 improvement will see 16 new units built on nearly one acre..
The two-storey development will be under 10m tall, and in addition to existing motel facilities, including 10 units, a pool, laundry facilities and the administration office.
This would be good for Berry, offering more accommodation that is much-needed
- Berry resident Dave Parrish
Detractors have criticised the scale of the development, the design, and its placement at the entrance to town.
Kaye Gartner was the only councillor in attendance at the development committee meeting last Tuesday to vote no, siding with residents who penned 107 submissions opposing the development.
“Yes, I see their point, I don't think it fits with Berry's character,” Cr Gartner said.
“I understand the applicant has done a lot of work, it’s a perfectly compliant development application, and I can empathise with the economic argument.”
When the pending decision was announced via the South Coast Register Facebook page, Shoalhaven locals shared their views.
“Not sure how this won't blend in with the entrance to Berry? A million-tonne concrete offramp,” Dave Parrish from Berry said.
“This would be good for Berry, offering more accommodation that is much-needed, having one motel only and keeping business local, not seeing tourists drive 15-20 minutes for alternate accommodation.”
Andy Hutchinson said he was in favour of the upgrade.
“Not sure what people are talking about when they say it's out of character,” he said.
“Since 50 per cent of the houses in Berry are near-identical strongbuild-style eyesores, what character are they referring to? The picket-fence fake 'country' look? That isn't character.”