About Sue & Mark Berry: Sue Berry, Mark Berry, The Bower Broulee, South Coast restoration, bushland rehabilitation, eco-tourism NSW, Broulee eco-resort
Sue and Mark Berry assumed custodianship of 88 hectares of neglected bushland west of Broulee in the early 1990s, a site scarred by trail bike damage, illegal dumping, pig shooters, feral animals, and even a marijuana plantation. They dedicated 8 hectares of prime riparian land along Candlagan Creek as public reserve—now part of Batemans Marine Park—and focused the remaining 40ha Wildlife Refuge on rehabilitation: revegetation, weed eradication (like bitou bush), habitat recovery for birds, wallabies, and sea eagles, while aiming to retain at least 75% practically undisturbed.pasted-text.txt+3
Restoration & Community Legacy
Partnering with NPWS on Illawong Nature Reserve management, they created shared trails and interpretive walks, post-2019 fires reviving operations with shire support on the Sydney-Melbourne coastal route. Mark chaired Friends of SouthCare (raising $100k+), grew junior rugby (3→350 players; awards), backed Dressage/Dolphins/Cancer efforts ($8.5k); Sue founded SnowyHydro Rescue (7yrs), won 2006 awards, served Dressage/Tourism boards.DA_05_Urban-Design-Report.pdf+4linkedin+1
The Bower delivers secluded luxury villas (Private Spa, Premium Spa, Double King/Double Spa) spaced 100m+ with natural screening, spas, fireplaces, self-contained glamping amid wildlife immersion.2012-Submission-Final.pdf+1
Past Collaborations
Worked with wellness experts like Elizabeth Fulop (massage/yoga), Catherine Potter (yoga retreats), Gabi Harding, Marie Zuvich, Debbie Pakis, and Bill Nagle (bird-watching tours), plus Broulee Wellness/RegionX. Award submissions praised sustainability, marketing, South Coast tourism role.Bower-Submission-Final.pdf+4
Through land gifts, volunteering, and eco-plans (wellness/tents), they’ve boosted jobs, conservation, and high-value tourism.
NSW-AWARDS-Submission.pdfeurobodallaDA_05_Urban-Design-Report.pdf