1 Fountaindale Road Robertson 2577, NSW

The Development for The Robertson Hotel is an amazing and carefully thought out plan, this is what many guests, diners and cafe people want to be able to eat, coffee in a lovely established grounds, on nice days many people dont want to be in four walls but able to sit in the beautiful grounds which the owners have been weeding of noxious weeds such as wondering dew from the natural rainforest and propagating and collecting seeds to add more rainforest to the already large section of regrowth,since purchasing . Many guests want to see and learn about the natural rainforests and this is what these owners are already nurturing more native rainforest trees and shrubs to make the already hidden building nestle in with the native trees thats one of there key points of part of this development is to not make it a tacky suburban style development but to make it ecological friendly within the grounds and to add more native rainforest shrubs and trees native to the Yarrawa brush rainforest. Accommodation guests coming from Sydney Canberra or interstate want today to have there on ensuited rooms, not to share and especially with the Covid 19 and newer strains mutating this is a huge negative to be using shared bathrooms so many guests move on elsewhere and not stay due to so few ensuited rooms, the owners have started to collect seedlings, propagate trees and shrubs this being all part of the whole concept to make it environmentally friendly a total unique experience so the public visiting can learn and see what we have thats so unique at Robertson. As locals our family has lived here for 4 generations with my mother and grandmother attending Robertson school having spoken at length with the owners over a number of years, they are well aware of how unique the established trees, exotic and rainforest are for his business - to make it stand out and to encourage and teach others as well of how important the environment, eco systems are and more, this owner has already shown the local community of how much they care for this historic building by carefully adding painstakingly daily much needed maintenance to this almost century old beauty. The owner has also been employing ground staff to weed and remove noxious weeds which would eventually take over the whole of the rainforest floor. As we know many older buildings become so run down because of not meeting the standards of today and eventually become ruins, not usable or left to rot away, The Robertson Hotel was built and was written up to be one of the best in its day in our Commonwealth, well today the grounds and rainforest have and are being lovely rescued from noxious weeds the buildings proposed face lift will be well behind and below the gutter lines of the large existing iconic building it will stand behind and beside the rainforest and integrate and be moulded to give the best again for the public and give more opportunities for unique experiences whether to stay overnight or just a days experience within. The owners must do something to keep this unique building and grounds open for us the public to be able to utilize - but it must be made viable to todays 21st century eco needs and thats what these owners definitely want. We as real locals having lived here all our lives and the majority of the town are in awe that the owners also realise the unique beauty of the natural environment, its within walking distance to the village, or a bike ride away, with the new international airport within one hour and the new Shellharbour marina within 35 minutes we will be able to showcase Robertson's unique quirky and historic businesses at their best. This building is in urgent need of being carefully updated as these current owners have so wisely proposed and we as locals are wanting this to go ahead for environmental, ecological, financial and more . The proposal will also give the town for many to do water therapies and enjoy not having to do a 1/2 hour each way trip to a pool - As there is no opportunities that are available within the village at all. The dry stone wall small seating area will allow individuals to sit read enjoy there morning yogo rituals in a small quiet area, read the newspaper, book or magazine while enjoying a coffee tea on the northern slope. As well as guests being able to take a dip after when they choose. The lay of the land with its slope and the natural dropping away of the land means that cars will be parked away and not visual this will also encourage much walking around with little worrying of cars parked visually, again no visual impact. Employment within the town much needed to stop many moving away due to the economic situation found in many rural towns throughout NSW, eventually leading to other businesses needing to close as is in small villages and towns each help each other. We dont want Robertson to become a commuter town, we need to have natural progression not forced progression by large conglomerate corporations and this is a prime example of an owner wanting to add to there town and village. And retain what's really important these owners want to upgrade this beauty not take away from there own environment - like many residents who are already upgrading there palaces -there homes - so do these owners want to renovate and add to what's there not take away. Already this owner has shown by the many hundreds of thousands of dollars spent that he is only making this iconic place into 2021 and meeting the needs and wants of his clients and customers - would you have stayed in a room in Robertson's winter without central heating and a walk down the hallway to the shower or toilet, with Covid 19 and the mutations of Covid. - central heating has been added through the building the first time in one hundred years - now ensuited rooms are part of the proposal and a new wing, with new sections - in a natural environment.

We strongly believe this hotel will be a fantastic addition to the town of Robertson, as do, by far the majority of local residents and businesses. There are only a few local objectors, but as usual they are hiding behind Facebook posts, and even refuse to meet with the owner to view plans first hand and get their facts straight, they just keep posting incorrect information.

Most feel the town is very lucky to have a developer who loves the village as the Kotis's do, and are offering so much to the people of the town (eg. use of the swimming pool and grounds amongst other things) and most are upset that one or two people can put this whole complex in jeopardy.
This is what we are all very grateful for, if this project goes ahead.
- The heritage building and gardens will be saved. Already a lot has been spent but we understand a lot more is needed to keep this building from degrading further, and the wonderful gardens need an owner with their dedication to bring them back and maintain them.
- They are maintaining and saving the rainforest; the owners are already working with experts to save seeds and are offering plants to other local land owners that they are propagating.
- They will offer much needed employment, and even training for younger people in need of a new career path, and offer experienced locals many jobs (there are not many employment opportunities in the area, this will be a huge boost to those in need of jobs)
- This boutique hotel will bring business to Robertson and the Highlands, the region desperately needs more hotels, why would Planning make this more difficult that it already is for these people, when they are wanting to bring a much needed small quality hotel to the area?

We do ask that this thoughtful and quality project is approved.

as above

The refurbishment of the heritage building and the addition of new guest rooms and facilities is a positive proposal that will be of huge benefit to the Robertson Community. The expansion and upgrade will attract significant function and conference business as well as accommodation for individuals. The hotel is within walking distance of Robertson's village centre, enabling guests to easily access and support local retail and hospitality businesses in town. Currently many of our local tourist oriented businesses operate only Friday to Sunday, but once operational this development will bring weekday guests which will encourage local businesses to expand their trading hours. As an owner of a commercial property in the main street, with tourist businesses as tenants, I'm very encouraged by this.
The Hotel owners have also indicated that they will utilise locally grown produce and local trades people. Employment opportunities for locals, particularly younger people, will grow both within the facility and in other local businesses.
Like many other locals I'm grateful that the hotel owner is taking on the challenge of restoring the village's most significant heritage building and understand that the cost of this undertaking will only be made viable through the expansion of the accommodation and function business. It appears that the hotel owner is taking great care to protect the rainforest around the property, and to ensure that the new buildings are attractive but subservient to the heritage building. Im really pleased that all the parking is underground and wont be seen. The fact that the hotel operator will be making the pool and other facilities accessible to locals is a huge bonus when you live in a village has few public facilities. I hope that the planning panel recognises that this proposal would be a positive game changer for Robertson and grants a development consent.