Our Place Penrith Summer 2022/23

WORDS FROM OUR MAYOR

As we embark on a new year ahead with fresh possibilities, it’s important to reflect on how far we’ve come as a community through recent challenging times including the 2022 flooding events. It’s with great enthusiasm that we look forward to the future for a safe and prosperous 2023. Our feature story on page 4 encapsulates our excitement with the anticipated opening of the restored Police Cottage, as a new cafe, in Emu Plains. Reopened to the public for the first time in 70 years, we can’t wait to

welcome residents and visitors alike to the Police Cottage to experience the riverfront like never before.

It’s also the time of year when many of us are thinking about how to stay cool during hot summer days. On page 10, we take a look at Council’s Green Streets program that sees trees planted in priority areas to provide muchneeded shade.

There’s always a lot of great things to do in our City and I’m pleased to say that in February, we’ll celebrate our

Penrith seniors in collaboration with the NSW Seniors Festival. Turn to page 26 to see some of the great upcoming activities and events taking place across our City for people of all ages.

I wish you and your family a healthy and bright year ahead.

Cr Tricia Hitchen

OUR POLICE COTTAGE

The 113-year-old Police Cottage at Emu Plains has received a makeover! Penrith City Council and the NSW Government recently unveiled the $3.2 million

restoration of the Police Cottage that will allow more residents and visitors to our City to enjoy the riverfront, with the new café set to open in early 2023.

Uncle Colin from Muru Mittigar completing a smoking ceremony at the completion event on 18 November 2022. and

The cottage was originally constructed in 1908 as a purposebuilt police station and residence

for Emu Plains until the 1950s, and later served as a private residence until 2015. Now with the refurbishment

has reopened to the public for the first time in over 70 years!

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen and Stuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith cut the ribbon at the restored historic Police Cottage.

The hospitality operators for the new restaurant are Shane and Belinda Simpson, Penrith residents and owners of well-known lower Blue Mountains venue, 2773 Café Glenbrook.

The new restaurant will not only offer visitors a memorable dining experience alongside the beautiful Nepean River, but also a delicious modern Australian menu with a focus on local and sustainable produce. The reopening of the

Police Cottage marks a major milestone in the revitalisation of the Nepean River precinct, which includes the continuing construction on the adjacent Regatta Park upgrade due for completion in September 2023.

To find out more about the Police Cottage refurbishment, visit penrith.city/policecottage

The village of Mulgoa, south of Regentville and Glenmore Park, takes its name from the Mulgoa people who were

MULGOA VILLAGE

the indigenous inhabitants of the area and spoke the Dharug language. In recent times, Mulgoa has enjoyed

a revamp with a new-look park and the introduction of a contemporary Rural Fire Service Station.

The original Mulgoa Rural Fire Service Station

Mulgoa Park

Rural Fire Service Station, Mulgoa

The new and improved Rural Fire Service Station in Mulgoa will officially open on Saturday 21 January 2023. Replacing the original fire station built in 1975, the modern facility has been built to comply with current standards and features three engine bays, Control Room, administration area and office space, kitchenette, amenities and onsite parking.

In 2019, Council completed upgrades to Mulgoa Park including installing new playground equipment, improvements to the tennis courts and better landscaping to suit Penrith’s climate.

OUR GREEN STREETS

PROGRAM

Creating Cooler Suburbs

Since the start of 2022, Penrith City Council has planted close to 5,000 trees along residential nature strips, parklands and reserves in five Penrith suburbs identified

as having a low level of existing tree canopy including Erskine Park, North St Marys, St Clair, St Marys and Oxley Park. By planting trees, we’re able to

help ease the impacts of the urban heat island effect which occurs when heat is trapped and stored within paved and darkcoloured surfaces.

standinginfrontofhis newlyplantedtree.

Above: Young local residents attend St Clair pop-up event in late 2022.

Before planting commenced, residents were invited to Council’s pop-up events to learn more about the Green Streets program. Residents could also request extra trees for their properties which proved very popular for those seeking improved shade coverage and

a desire to support local wildlife.

The majority of trees planted were cultivated in Council’s own nursery, meaning they are well adapted to Penrith’s unique climate. When these trees mature, they will benefit our communities for years to come.

Council’s Green Streets program is due for completion in 2023 and aligns with our strategic work to cool the City and improve liveability outcomes for residents. It’s proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Local Government NSW.

more information, visit yoursaypenrith.com.au/greeningourcity

UPGRADES IN

Since adopting our 2020 Sport and Recreation Strategy, Penrith City Council has delivered an extensive program of sport, recreation, play and open space projects across the City. By providing access to a range of highquality, affordable and inclusive infrastructure and open space, Council hopes to support residents to enjoy an active lifestyle.

To date, Council has delivered 64 projects including modern playspaces for our youngest residents, improving sports facilities for local clubs, developing major sports facilities, and even creating new dog parks for our fourlegged community members.

With a further 21 projects under construction and 20 more getting underway this year, we’re on track to exceed our goal of 82 projects within the first five years of our 15-year strategy.

Artist impression, dog park at Gipps Street Recreation Precinct

PLAYSPACE UPGRADES

Site name Suburb Status

Trinity Drive Reserve Cambridge Gardens Under construction

Myrtle Road Claremont Meadows Complete

Brooker and Day Reserve Colyton Complete

Iron Bark Way Colyton Complete

Ironbark Reserve Cranebrook Complete

Goldmark Crescent Reserve Cranebrook Coming soon

Outlook Reserve Emu Heights Complete

Bunyarra Reserve Emu Plains Complete

Ridgeview Crescent Reserve Erskine Park Coming soon

Nindi Crescent Reserve Glenmore Park Complete

Oriole Street Reserve Glenmore Park Complete

The Carriageway Reserve Glenmore Park Complete

Sunbird Terrace Reserve Glenmore Park Complete

Glengarry Drive Reserve Glenmore Park Coming soon

Robinson Park Jamisontown Complete

Tench Reserve South Jamisontown Under construction

Willoring Crescent Reserve Jamisontown Coming soon

Stapley Street Reserve Kingswood Complete

Illawong and Kareela Avenue Reserve Kingswood Park Coming soon

Leonay Parade Reserve Leonay Complete

Wilson Park Llandilo Coming soon

Sales Park Luddenham Complete

Brian King Park Oxley Park Complete

Burcher Park Penrith Complete

Pauline Fields Penrith Complete

Spence Reserve Penrith Complete

Penrose Crescent South Penrith Complete

David Currie Playspace St Clair Complete (amenities building coming in 2023)

Playspace Upgrades cont.

Site name Suburb Status

Explorers Way and Henley Grove Reserve St Clair

Coming soon

Armstein Crescent Reserve Werrington Complete Jim Anderson Park Werrington Coming soon

Shade Upgrades at 98 playspaces Citywide Complete

DAVID CURRIE PLAYSPACE

Formerly known as Banks Drive Playground, this new, inclusive and fully fenced playspace was renamed in honour of the late David Currie who was a passionate disability advocate for Penrith. A variety of equipment is on offer for all ages and abilities including an accessible spinner, climbing net and slide, multi-bay swing, sensory play, wheelchair accessible trampoline and an inclusive double flying fox.

TENCH

RESERVE SOUTH PLAYSPACE UPGRADE

The revitalisation of Tench Reserve at the Nepean River is underway with a new $13 million open space park being delivered by

the NSW Government in partnership with Council, key stakeholders and the local community. The playspace upgrade and expansion is a

key feature of this project, which is being funded through the Department of Planning and Environment’s Parks for People Program.

Above: Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen & Member for

Mulgoa Tanya Davies with David Currie’s daughter

Elizabeth and grandchildren Lucas, Sophia and Isla.

SPORTS FACILITY INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES

Site name

Allsopp Field

Infrastructure upgrade Suburb Status

Floodlighting Upgrade

Patterson Oval Cricket practice facility

Kevin Dwyer Fields Amenities building

Cambridge Park Coming soon

Cambridge Park Under construction

Colyton Complete

Kevin Dwyer Fields Goal posts and ball fencing Colyton Coming soon

Potter Fields Cricket practice facility Colyton Complete

Hunter Fields Amenities building Emu Plains Complete

Dukes Oval Cricket practice facility and floodlighting Emu Plains Complete

Ched Towns Reserve Amenities building

Glenmore Park Under construction

Surveyors Creek Softball Facility Floodlighting Glenmore Park Complete

Surveyors Creek Softball Facility (Diamond 3 & 4)

Floodlighting and pathways Glenmore Park Under construction

Surveyors Creek Softball Facility Player dug outs and Diamond 1 reconstruction Glenmore Park Coming soon

Chapman Gardens Baseball amenities building, Diamond 1 fencing and dug outs, rugby and cricket facilities irrigation

Doug Rennie Fields Amenities building

Leonay Oval Floodlighting and upper field amenities building

Sales Park Cricket practice facility

Kingswood Complete

Kingswood Under construction

Leonay Complete

Luddenham Complete

Gow Park Floodlighting Mulgoa Complete

Mulgoa Rise Fields Amenities building

Boronia Park

Floodlighting for netball courts and fields 3-5, rugby league amenities, irrigation fields 3-5, cricket practice facility and cricket amenities

Mulgoa Rise Complete

North St Marys Under construction

Sports Facility Infrastructure Upgrades cont.

Site name Infrastructure upgrade Suburb Status

Boronia Park Four new netball courts North St Marys Complete

Samuel Marsden Reserve New batting tunnels Orchard Hills Complete

Ridge Park Irrigation system Oxley Park Complete

Hickeys Lane Sportsground Precinct upgrade

Penrith Under construction

Woodriff Gardens Tennis Complex Amenities building Penrith Under construction

Woodriff Gardens Tennis Complex Renewal of pergola structure Penrith Complete

Parker Street Reserve Precinct upgrade

Eileen Cammack Reserve Amenities building, floodlighting for Field 2 and mini field

Jamison Park Synthetic Fields New synthetic fields

Jamison Park Netball court surface upgrades, park-wide seating and landscaping

Penrith Under construction

South Penrith Under construction

South Penrith Complete

South Penrith Complete

Mark Leece Sporting Complex Amenities building St Clair Complete

Cook and Banks Oval Floodlighting, cricket practice facility St Clair Complete

Bill Ball Oval Amenities building St Marys Under construction

Monfarville Park Floodlighting St Marys Complete

Monfarville Park Amenities building St Marys Coming soon

Cook Park Soccer amenities building and grandstand St Marys Coming soon

Cook Park Floodlighting St Marys Under construction

St Marys Tennis Courts Surface upgrades St Marys Complete

Parkes Avenue Amenities building Werrington Complete

Rance Oval Amenities building, irrigation system Werrington Complete

The Kingsway South Fields Floodlighting on mini field Werrington Complete

The Kingsway North Fields Floodlighting

Werrington Complete

The Kingsway North Irrigation and surface upgrades Werrington Under construction

The Kingsway North Amenities building

The Kingsway West Six sporting fields and irrigation, cricket pitch, amenities building, car park upgrades and floodlighting

Werrington Coming soon

Werrington Complete

Werrington Tennis and Futsal Courts Surface upgrades Werrington Complete

Harold Corr Oval All-weather synthetic track and field facilities

Werrington Under construction

JAMISON PARK SYNTHETIC FIELDS

This 22,000 sqm synthetic surface accommodates two FIFA standard rectangular football fields which can be adapted into eight small-sided fields, a cricket pitch and an AFL oval. A new pathway, LED floodlighting and spectator seating were also installed as part of the upgrade.

LEONAY OVAL UPGRADE

Leonay Oval’s upper oval amenities building has been improved and

extended to include additional storage, a canteen and awning. LED floodlighting has also been installed

on the two rugby league fields, mini field, and athletics track and field facilities.

PenrithMayor Tricia Hitchen and the Member for Penrith StuartAyresMP with the Emu Plains Junior RugbyLeague Football Club at LeonayOval.

HAROLD CORR OVAL UPGRADE

Construction is underway to upgrade Cambridge Park’s Harold Corr Oval into a highquality athletics precinct featuring all-weather synthetic track and field facilities, the first of its kind in Penrith.

RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE

Site name

Trinity Drive Reserve - mixed recreation space

Gipps Street Recreation Precinct

Emu Heights Dog Park

Regatta Park

Chapman Gardens - outdoor fitness equipment

Suburb Status

Cambridge Gardens Under construction

Claremont Meadows Under construction

Emu Heights Complete

Emu Plains Under construction

Kingswood Complete

Boronia Park Dog Park North St Marys Coming soon

City Park Penrith Under construction

St Clair Leisure Centre St Clair Complete

St Clair Dog Park St Clair Complete

Bennett Park - mixed recreation space St Marys Coming soon

Cook Park - outdoor fitness equipment St Marys Coming soon

PENRITH CITY PARK

Set to transform our Penrith City Centre, the new 7,000 sqm City Park on the corner of Henry and Station Streets, will feature a central lawn with significant tree canopy cover, themed gardens, public artwork, water elements including misting clusters and ponds, and more.

BENNETT PARK MIXED RECREATION SPACE

Council is working with award-winning youth space and skate park design company, CONVIC, to create an exciting new mixed recreation space in Bennett Park, St Marys. It will include skate spaces, a pump track, climbing equipment, and more.

GIPPS

STREET RECREATION PRECINCT

Council’s 32-hectare former waste facility site at Claremont Meadows is being transformed into a landmark sport and

recreation destination complete with sports fields, a youth precinct with skate park, pump track, multi-sport courts and more.

OUR FUTURE GENERATION

LEARN TO SWIM –A COLLABORATION BETWEEN RIPPLES AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Penrith City Council is taking the plunge to teach young people swim safety skills to help keep local families safe in and around the water. Our Children’s Services team have partnered with our Ripples St Marys

team to deliver a six-week Learn to Swim program to some of the City’s youngest residents attending local Out of School Hours Care. The program sees young people develop their swimming ability

and confidence while teaching them lifesaving water safety skills in a fun way. The program will be expanded this year to deliver the service to young people in other parts of the community including preschools.

Penrith City Council has provided high quality and affordable early education and childcare services to children and young people in the

Penrith community for more than 40 years. We offer multiple services and locations across Long Day Care, Preschool, Out of School

Hours Care, Vacation Care and a Mobile Playvan.

Enrolments for 2023 are now open, find out more at penrith.city/childcare.

Find out more about Ripples’ swim school at ripplesnsw. com.au/learnto-swim

Or learn more about Council’s Children’s Services, including enrolment at penrith.city/ childcare

THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING NATIONAL DROWNING REPORT 2022 REVEALED THERE WERE 15 DROWNING DEATHS IN CHILDREN AGED 5-14 YEARS IN 2021 ACROSS AUSTRALIA - AN INCREASE OF 7% FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

WHAT’S

HAPPENING

IN OUR CITY

Australia Day

The ultimate pool party courtesy of Penrith City Council with free entry, a DJ, food trucks, poolside activities and more.

26 JANUARY

Ripples Leisure Centres – Penrith and St Marys

Shared Reading

COMMENCES WEEKLY

FROM 1 FEBRUARY

Penrith Library and St Marys Library. Listen in or join the discussion on a different story each week.

Library.penrith.city

Lunchtime Tunes

TUESDAYS in Memory Park, Penrith from 14 February to 4 April

WEDNESDAYS in Coachmans Park, St Marys from 15 February to 5 April.

Enjoy Penrith City Council’s live music sessions featuring local artists.

Penrith.city/events

Twilight at Lewers

24 FEBRUARY, 31 MARCH AND 28 APRIL

Penrith Regional Gallery

Drop-in workshops, live music, a pop-up artisan market and delicious drinks and tapas. Penrithregionalgallery. com.au

Penrith Producers

31 MARCH

Triangle Park, Penrith Curated by Penrith City Council, eat, shop and enjoy live music in the heart of our City.

Penrith.city/events Luddenham Show 4-5 MARCH Luddenham Showground Animals on show, stalls, fireworks and more. Luddenhamshow.com.au

Bushcare Events

Park, Mulgoa 28 APRIL - Rickabys Creek Reserve, Londonderry

Penrith.city/bushcare

OUR LIBRARIES

What better time to relax with a good book than over the summer break? Check out some of these must-reads from Penrith City Library. Library membership is free for all NSW residents.

Reminders of Him by Colleen

Hoover

A troubled young mother yearns for a shot at redemption in this heartbreaking yet hopeful story by #1 New York Times bestselling author, Colleen Hoover. Available in print and eBook format through Libby.

The Maid by Nita Prose

A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart. Available in print collection.

Every Version of You by Grace Chan

A story about virtual reality, identity, love, migration, change, and what it means to be human. Simultaneous digital copies available through indyreads.

In January this year, we celebrate 160 years since the railway to Penrith officially opened on 18 January 1863. Four years later, the railway was extended into the mountains and for many years, Penrith was an important railway centre where locomotives and crews

were changed and passengers took refreshments. At one stage, it was the third largest locomotive depot in New South Wales. The first station building was erected in 1863 but was replaced by a new brick and stone building in

1880. Following the duplication of the line in 1886, another brick building was erected on the opposite side in 1890. These two heritage-listed buildings on the main and central platforms stand as evidence of this important phase in the development of Penrith.

Penrith Railway Station 1920s

Penrith running shed staff, Penrith Railway Depot circa 1906

Explore your City this summer

From active fun in the sun and eating out with family and friends, to lazy days in nature or exploring our cultural gems.

Find everything you need to know at visitpenrith.com.au