Planning proposal for City Park

Wednesday, 9 December 2015

Penrith’s City Park, an urban oasis possibly surrounded by compact housing and specialist retail opportunities, is a step closer after Council endorsed a planning proposal this week.

The vision, which was supported by our community during the Penrith Progression process, is to create a City heart with links from the park and development through to High Street.

Mayor Karen McKeown said creating this vision would revitalise City Centre shops and encourage the redevelopment of many High Street arcades into Penrith's 'laneways', reminiscent of Melbourne.

"A City Park has been considered an important component in the transformation of the Penrith City Centre since 2006," Cr McKeown said.

"In February it was identified in the Penrith Progression A Plan for Action, together with the Living Well Precinct, as a main priority for Council.  When realised, the City Park will represent a significant infrastructure investment by Council for the benefit of the Penrith community."

The planning proposal seeks to rezone part of the block bound by Station, Henry and Woodriff Streets and the Allen Place carpark to B4 Mixed Use.

Cr McKeown said this was in order to provide the greatest amount of flexibility in pursuing land uses that create amenity and vibrancy.

Council is looking for partners to grow the local economy, attract investment and create jobs - as well as cater for the parking needs of our growing Regional City.

"I must stress that there will be no net loss of car parks in the City Centre in the future," she said. "Parking is an important facility in our City, but there is real scope here to provide better parking as well as other services, enabling a vibrant City Centre to cater for a growing population."

Council is currently inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the development of two City Centre sites at Reserve Street and Union Road. 

A third EOI will be sought in early 2016 for the delivery of the City Park and an adjoining mixed-use development.

"The City Park will serve as a cool refuge in hot summers and provides a vibrant drawcard for community and cultural events," Cr McKeown.

As well as creating a city heart and laneway culture, the vision for the City Centre includes: 

• Building a bustling City Centre that's a pleasure to walk and get around
• Making inner City living a reality and business in the City Centre easy
• Connecting our river to the City Centre
• Creating a vibrant colourful outdoor life
• Adopting fresh ideas, projects and partnership, helping us grow and prosper and
• Delivering jobs for the future.

A Gateway Determination to start the Local Environmental Plan amendment process will now be sought.  Public authorities and the community will be consulted, as part of this process.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Wednesday, 9 December 2015.