Our Place Penrith Issue 14 2023

WORDS FROM OUR MAYOR

A decade ago, we created a roadmap to protect and enhance the jewel in the crown of our area: the Nepean River. The river is one of our community’s most important assets; a space to exercise, entertain and be close to nature.

The Our River Masterplan captured a vision for a sustainable river that supports the wellbeing of local residents. As one of Australia’s great river landscapes, the aim was to improve access to green spaces, upgrade the facilities

and amenities, and ultimately maximise the enjoyment we all find in this special place.

It is wonderful to look back and see how far we’ve come.

This issue of Our Place celebrates the achievements of the Our River Masterplan and details the next stage of its journey. Community consultation is now open to develop a roadmap and plan for the next decade of revitalisation. I encourage all

residents to contribute before consultation closes on 24 July (details on page 9).

I hope everyone enjoys this issue of Our Place and finds a story, an event or a project that resonates with you.

Cr Tricia Hitchen

REVITALISING OUR RIVER

CELEBRATING A DECADE OF THE OUR RIVER MASTERPLAN

It’s been ten years since Penrith City Council collaborated with the community to produce the visionary Our River Masterplan

and create a roadmap for celebrating, activating and protecting the Nepean River into the future.

Boat ramp and car park at Tench Reserve

The Masterplan provided a strategic framework with priority projects and key actions across five overarching themes: Our Active River, Our Cultural River, Our Accessible River, Our Healthy River and Our Managed River.

The Masterplan has provided Council with a roadmap to unlock the river’s potential and has led to unprecedented levels of government and private investment in projects around the river.

As Council prepares to update the Masterplan, we’re celebrating the achievements of the past decade by

profiling just a few of the exciting projects underway or already delivered at the Nepean River.

Penrith City Council’s annual REAL Festival

Parkrun at Tench Reserve

OUR ACTIVE RIVER

REGATTA PARK

One of the achievements is the Regatta Park upgrade, funded by Council, and the Australian and NSW Governments through the Western Sydney City Deal’s Western Parkland City Liveability Program.

With an anticipated opening in late 2023, the park will have two new playgrounds, accessible pathways, viewing platforms, a cricket oval, a new car park, an additional 400 trees and plenty of green open spaces. The transformed Regatta Park is on the cusp of becoming a premier destination for locals and visitors.

POLICE COTTAGE

Council’s and the community’s vision to bring the historic Police Cottage back to life has been realised after the site’s innovative refurbishment was completed in late 2022. The project was funded by the NSW Government and Council and has created an exciting dining destination that celebrates Penrith’s unique history and showcases our spectacular Nepean River. The café restaurant is now open to the community.

TENCH RESERVE

Major upgrades and ongoing improvements have seen Tench Reserve transform into an ideal place for families and friends to spend quality time together. The new boat ramp and trailer car park which opened in 2019, funded by all three levels of government, along with new kayak launch pads make it easier to get on the water.

New paths, amenities, play spaces, picnic areas, and public artworks have also improved the public parkland with the wharf precinct still to come in the second stage of the $13 million Tench Reserve Upgrade funded by the NSW Government’s Parks for People Program.

The historic Police Cottage

OUR ACCESSIBLE RIVER

PATHWAYS

New shared pathways at Tench Reserve, Weir Reserve and on River Road have enhanced the Great River Walk, improved connection and accessibility and provided residents and visitors with opportunities to explore and enjoy the Nepean River while promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle.

OUR CULTURAL RIVER

REAL FESTIVAL

Activating the Nepean River through major events and memorable experiences has been a priority. Between 2016-2019, Real Festival transformed the riverbank with world-class entertainment, activities and experiences and this iconic event, funded by Council, is set to return in a spectacular fusion of fun in September 2023.

Water sports on the Nepean River

OUR HEALTHY RIVER

VOLUNTEER BUSHCARE GROUP

Keeping the Nepean River healthy has been a focus over the past ten years. In 2014, Council prepared a Vegetation Management Plan which led to a threeyear program of work funded by the Federal Government through the Environmental Restoration Fund. A new River Road Bushcare Group was created to conduct vegetation management work each month.

Learn more at penrith.city/bushcare

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

1. Head to yoursaypenrith.com.au/ourriver before the consultation closes at 5 pm Monday 24 July 2023

2. Interactive map

Drop a pin on the map to share your idea or tell us what needs to be addressed

3. Short survey

Take our short survey to tell us what you think

4. Send us an email

You can also send your ideas, feedback and input to ourriver@penrith.city

THE UPDATED MASTERPLAN WILL BE DEVELOPED WITH THE COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY GAPS, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PAST TEN YEARS.

Fishing and pendragon sports are popular on the Nepean River

A COOLER & GREENER PENRITH CITY

Since 2020, Council has been planting trees in areas we’ve identified as being vulnerable to heat as part of our Greening our City program. These

include six of Penrith’s eastern suburbs and three busy industrial estates, as well as recreation spaces and infrastructure corridors throughout our City.

A resident and the Summit team outside of the resident’s property after planting two trees

Together these projects will help to achieve Council’s Cooling the City Strategy goal to reduce the health and wellbeing stresses associated with heat, provide habitat and shade, and ensure Penrith is a liveable and healthy place for current and future generations.

Through Greening Our City, Council has planted around 8,000 trees across 13 suburbs in more than 80 locations. The projects have included pop-up events, plant giveaways and community engagement days. Support from

community members and local businesses has been overwhelming. The enthusiasm for urban greening among residents of Penrith demonstrates that we are on track to creating a cooler and more enjoyable place to live, work and play.

The project is proudly funded by the NSW Government.

Trees planted along the nature strip outside of businesses

Residents at a pop-up event with Council’s Sustainability team

PROTECTING HABITAT

Penrith City and much of Western Sydney sits on the Cumberland Plain, comprising of gently undulating plains and low hills formed on sediments of the Wianamatta group of shales, as well as alluvial deposits along rivers and floodplains. The Cumberland Plain Woodland is the most dominant vegetation community in our City and is listed as critically endangered.

Due to the land clearing that began at the time of European settlement, today there is only 9% of Cumberland Plain Woodland remaining. Our City supports about 17% of what’s left.

Most of the native vegetation that occurs naturally along roadside reserves in Penrith is part of the Cumberland Plain Woodland. Although it might just look like overgrown grass at first glance, roadside vegetation can have significant importance as habitat.

You may have seen purple markers near areas of roadside vegetation. These markers have been placed there to indicate an area of high ecological value. Mowing by residents can damage protected vegetation and result in the loss of threatened species populations.

The markers do not mean that the vegetation in these designated areas will not be managed at all. They just mean that further assessment from qualified persons is necessary and more sensitive forms of management are required including no mowing of certain areas and reduced mowing in others, weed control, mitigating fire risk and traffic and safety controls.

THE ROADSIDE MARKER PROJECT WON A 2021 LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXCELLENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT AWARD FOR ROADSIDE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Please do not remove or relocate roadside markers. If you have safety concerns with the location of roadside markers, please contact Council on 4732 7777 and an inspection will be scheduled by trained personnel.

Learn more at penrith.city/roadsidevegetation

GENERATION STEM

STEM is an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These fields provide some of the most exciting and dynamic career and educational opportunities

for young people. To help raise the profile of these opportunities, Council takes part in a program called the STEM Community Partnerships Program (STEM CPP), part of the broader Generation STEM program.

Glenmore Park High School students at the 2022 end-of-year showcase

The partnership between Council and the STEM CPP is now in its third year. Generation STEM is managed by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and is made possible through the NSW Government’s $25 million endowment to the Science and Industry Endowment Fund.

Thirteen schools in Penrith City participate in this program, as well as nine local businesses. Students engage with industry professionals through site visits, mentoring, work experience and careers events, and explore solutions to real-world challenges.

The challenges include:

» Heat stress

» Industry 4.0 and changes to the manufacturing industry

» Managing natural environments

» Mental health

» Skills and employment opportunities for young people

» Transport

» Flooding and access

» The Western Sydney Aerotropolis

Key milestones for this year include:

» The Industry Engagement Workshop in February 2023, attended by 20 industry partners

» The Teacher Professional Learning Workshop in March 2023, attended by nine local teachers

» The end-ofyear showcase, scheduled for November 2023, an opportunity for the students to present their inquiry-based projects

Chiffley College students at the 2022 end-of-year showcase

GENERATION STEM IS A 10YEAR INITIATIVE TO ATTRACT, SUPPORT AND RETAIN NSW STUDENTS IN STEM.

TRAINING OUR EDUCATORS

FAMILIES IN PENRITH CITY EXPERIENCE THE SECOND-HIGHEST RATE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NSW

The above puts our Children’s Services staff in a unique position, working closely with more than 4,000 local children and young people every year.

Council’s Children’s Services team has partnered with two early childhood educators, Tanya McQueen and Judi Rhodes, who between them have a wealth of experience in working with families and children suffering with trauma. Tanya and Judi have written a children’s book called Queenies Book of Comfort, and alongside it developed a program to train educators in skills and activities which encourage conversations around trauma.

Research shows that if children can express themselves through talking, they are less likely to express themselves through ‘big’ behaviours.

Council Children’s Services has 53 services catering to the needs of families and carers across our City.

Penrith City

JULIE AND TANYA CONDUCTED TRAINING WITH COUNCIL’S CHILDREN’S SERVICES IN MAY 2023. THIS TRAINING AND THE ONGOING TOOLS FROM THE PROGRAM WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO COUNCIL’S CHILDCARE SERVICES

Find out more about Council’s Children’s Services at penrith.city/childcare

COUNCIL CALLS ON THE COMMUNITY TO HELP SAVE LIVES

Council is partnering with DV Safe Phone, a registered charity that collects and refurbishes mobile phones for people experiencing family violence. The organisation’s vision is to get a safe phone into the hands of every victim of domestic violence in need.

As one of the largest employers in the region, we can use our platform to encourage staff and residents to donate any old, unwanted mobile phones. There are various collection points set up across Penrith City for convenience.

Find out more at Penrith.city/dvsafephone

Collection boxes can be found in:

The foyer of the Civic Centre at 601 High Street, Penrith

Ripples St Marys

St Clair Leisure Centre

South Penrith

Neighbourhood Centre

Penrith, St Clair and St Marys Libraries – please hand directly to a staff member

Tanya McQueen and Judi Rhodes with Queenie’s Book of Comfort

UPGRADING OUR HEALTH AND FITNESS

To support the local community to enjoy active and healthy lives, Council has installed a variety of cardio and

strength equipment in Cook Park, which is free to use and designed to be inclusive for a range of ages and abilities. This

project was funded by Council and the NSW Government through the Community Building Partnership program.

COOK PARK IN ST MARYS

New cardio and strength equipment at Cook Park

Harold Corr Oval has been transformed into a world-class athletics precinct featuring Penrith’s first all-weather synthetic track and field facilities. The 400-metre, eight lane synthetic athletics track can be utilised for running, long jump, triple jump, high

jump, steeplechase, pole vault, hammer throw, discus, shot put and javelin.

Equipment storage, LED floodlighting, and a 65-space car park, including three accessible car spaces, were also installed as part of the

upgrade. This $6.9 million upgrade was funded by Penrith City Council, the NSW Government and the Australian Government.

The track is now open for general community use in daylight hours.

To make a booking call 4732 8021

The new-and-improved St Marys Community Centre is now open. Bookings are available for community groups and visitors to enjoy the revamped premises which includes a new commercial kitchen, an

updated function and activity space, new flooring, new office and meeting spaces, and improved accessibility including an adult change facility.

This project was funded by Penrith City Council in partnership with the Australian Government.

To make a booking call us on 4732 8021 or visit penrith.city/halls

HAROLD CORR OVAL IN CAMBRIDGE PARK

ST MARYS COMMUNITY CENTRE

The new track and field facilities at Harold Corr Oval

OUR PARKS AND PLAYSPACES

This new playspace is now open and features a central ‘treehouse’ with a double slide,

rope net, climbing wall, binoculars, fire pole and custom leaf roof. A toddler play hut, animal-

shaped rocker and three swings provide extra fun for the younger visitors.

yoursaypenrith.com.au/glengarry

GLENGARRY DRIVE RESERVE GLENMORE PARK

Construction is underway on the new playspace located in Explorers Way and Henley Grove Reserve in St Clair. Key features include a net climber with a slide, three swings including a basket swing and an inclusive rocker. A wheelchair-accessible picnic table, seating, water bubbler and pathways will also be installed.

Our flagship CBD park is taking shape, with the sunken garden, water features, footpath and kerb works all underway. Construction on the amenities building with its green roof and pergola is due to begin soon. This project is proudly funded by Council in association with the NSW Government.

This 32-hectare site in Claremont Meadows is well on its way to becoming a landmark sports and recreation destination. Earthworks and ground improvement work is nearing completion, service utilities

and stormwater infrastructure are being installed, and construction of the wetland basins are underway. This project is proudly funded by Council in association with the NSW Government.

CITY PARK PENRITH

GIPPS STREET RECREATION PRECINCT CLAREMONT MEADOWS

NEW RECRUITS

MAKE A SPLASH

Ripples Leisure Centre St Marys and Penrith are preparing for another successful recruitment drive, sending a call out for Lifeguards and Learn to Swim Instructors to join the team ahead of the upcoming summer season.

These roles provide opportunities to perform a meaningful and rewarding role working closely with the community. Positions may suit students, young people, or parents, with a number of last year’s recruits now

Find out more at ripplesnsw.com.au Or visit careers.penrith.city

completing further training and study to progress into Duty Manager roles.

Ripples offer rewarding roles and an inclusive team culture, with many opportunities to progress in the future.

OUR LIBRARY

@penrithcitylibrary

THESE RECOMMENDED READS ARE WAITING FOR YOU AT PENRITH CITY LIBRARIES. MEMBERSHIP IS FREE FOR NSW RESIDENTS.

A Treasury Of Tales For Five-Year-Olds

By Gabby Dawnay, illustrated by Heidi Griffiths

This lovely collection of stories has been specially crafted for the five-yearold mind by literacy experts. Perfect for snuggling up with, this beautiful book contains original and inclusive stories about animals, dragons, nature, vehicles, music and reimagined fairytales.

23rd Midnight

By James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Patterson never fails to deliver action-packed page turners and this new book, which raced up the New York Times bestseller list, is no exception. The gripping story of an attentionseeking copycat who is recreating famous crimes with devastating new twists.

100 Australian Butterflies, Bees, Beetles & Bugs

By Georgia Angus

A beginner’s guide to unlocking the weird and wonderful world of creepy crawlies. With this easyto-read field guide, you’ll be equipped to explore your backyard and beyond. A comprehensive, accessible and entertaining guide to anything that flies, crawls or wriggles.

WHAT’S

HAPPENING

IN OUR CITY

No-Dig Garden Workshop

A no-dig garden is exactly how it sounds — it’s a garden where you don’t have to dig. In the workshop, we’ll be going over what materials you can use to build a no-dig garden, its benefits, and which vegetables are best to grow. The workshop is free but bookings are essential.

SATURDAY 5 AUGUST, 10AM–12PM

Gumbirra Children’s Centre

Small Space Veggie Gardening in Pots

Do you have a balcony, a small courtyard or simply want to grow plants successfully in pots? This Zoom workshop will share tips on getting the most out of your small garden through vertical planting, pot and plant selection, the best potting mixes, watering, fertilising and more. Book now to secure your spot in this free online workshop.

WEDNESDAY 30 AUGUST, 10AM–12PM

Tales and Tea

Listen to a story read by a Library staff member and contribute your thoughts and reflections if you feel comfortable doing so. Tales and Tea is a great way to improve listening, speaking and group participation skills, and is open to all age groups. Bookings are not required.

WEDNESDAYS

1PM–2.30PM at Penrith City Library

FRIDAYS 10AM–11.30AM at St Clair Library

Little Seekers Story Time

This is a sensitive Story Time for children aged 2–5 years old with disability, social and/or sensory needs. Parents and preschoolers will enjoy songs, stories and play activities. Bookings are essential.

WEDNESDAY 2 AUGUST and WEDNESDAY 13

SEPTEMBER

10AM–11AM

Penrith City Library

Theatrette, 601 High Street Penrith

To book, email childrensteamlibrary@ penrith.city or call 02 4732 7891

Teen and Family Board Game Collection

Our libraries have recently launched a board games collection for teens and families. You can now borrow exciting and hard-to-find board games from any branch using your library card. Standard borrowing limits apply.

You can now join the Library online. Scan the QR code and complete the registration form to access eResources and the eLibrary. Show your ID at your nearest Penrith City Libraries branch to verify your membership and start borrowing physical items.

THE HUB OF PERFORMING ARTS IN PENRITH COMING UP AT THE JOAN

Women Out West

This special panel discussion will feature prominent women working in the creative arts, who will discuss their experiences as artists and give insights into their creative practices.

THURSDAY 20 JULY,

6.30PM

Twelfth Night

This fresh retelling of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy is a dark collision of hidden identities and unrequited love. Featuring all-new music by Sarah Blasko, Twelfth Night ultimately asks us to find light in the darkness.

WEDNESDAY 2 AUGUST

7.30PM

THURSDAY 3 AUGUST

11AM AND 7.30PM

Book your tickets at

Filled with notions of love, loss and acceptance, and set in the modern day, this seminal Australian story has been sensitively adapted for the stage by playwright Tim McGarry (Boy Swallows Universe).

FRIDAY 11 AUGUST

7.30PM

SATURDAY 12 AUGUST

2PM AND 7.30PM @the_joan

Tim

@penrithregionalgallery

Abdulah M.I.Syed: Rebellious Belly

Penrith Regional Gallery is pleased to present this solo exhibition by the Sydney-based, Pakistani-born multidisciplinary artist Abdullah M. I. Syed. Marking his first major presentation

penrithregionalgallery.com.au

in Western Sydney, this is a milestone in Syed’s career that has spanned more than three decades and across continents.

ON NOW UNTIL

20 AUGUST

Penrith Regional Gallery

Stepping On

A free 7-week fall prevention program for adults aged 65 years and over, and Aboriginal adults aged 45 years and over. This course will teach you how to reduce your risk of falling and help you maintain your independence.

activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au/stepping-on

Are you holding a community event in Penrith City? Send in the details to be featured here. Email ourplace@penrith.city

OUR PLACE IN HISTORY

Emu Public School, as it used to be known, still stands on The Great Western Highway and is still in use by the Nepean Family History Society and the Nepean Art Society.

“A small gothic school building consisting of a main classroom with porch and offices and an attached schoolmaster’s residence of Victorian colonial form having a hipped roof with

timber veranda. Designed by the Colonial Governments Schools Architect, George Mansfield, the school was built in 1877 from locally quarried sandstone” (The National Trust, 1980).

The school circa 1900

The student body was always growing and new buildings needed to be added. In 1907 a new classroom was constructed which could accommodate 60 children and the old classroom was turned into a hat room.

In 1967 the new schoolhouse was opened at Emerald Street, Emu Plains. Infants classes were held here, while the primary classes walked back and forth between the two sites several times a day.

In late 1968, bushfires that had begun far off in the Blue Mountains reached the school grounds. Students were made to lie on the kindergarten floor until their frantic parents could collect them.

In 1974, a cleaner saw an apparition of a young lady dressed in old fashioned clothing, standing near the storeroom in the old school building. The cleaner ran from the room in distress and refused to go back in again. Classes were held outside that day as the students were shaken up by the sighting.

Soon after, in 1975 this beautiful building ceased to be used as a school. By that time, Emu Plains Public School had 600 students; many local people began their education here.

The school and its students, photographed in 1900

Students captured in 1896

Juniors at Emu Public School, May 1941

WITH COUNCIL

my.penrith.city

Your one-stop destination for Council services

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Council Can Help With

» Abandoned vehicles

» Air pollution monitoring

» Animal services

» Approvals

» Asbestos

» Building applications or inspections

» Bus shelters

» Bushfire control

» Children’s service

» Citizenship ceremonies

» Clean-up bookings

» Compost bins

» Council car parks

» Council meetings

» Disability services

» Environmental health

Find available parking ParkPenrith

The library at your fingertips Penrith City Library

Local waste and recycling information Penrith Waste Champion

Have your say on Council’s latest projects and activities at yoursaypenrith.com.au

» Environmental planning

» Food handling

» Footpaths

» Garbage & waste

» Graffiti control

» Hall bookings

» Library services

» Local elections

» Local history

» Neighbourhood centres

» Noise complaints

» Park bookings

» Parking control

» Planning approvals

» Senior citizen centres

» Public buildings

» Rates

» Recycling

» Report illegal dumping

» Senior citizen centres

» Swimming pool fences

» Tourism

» Tree planting or removal

» Youth services

SOUTH WARD EAST WARD

Councillor Mark Davies

E mark.davies@penrith.city

P 0416 085 597

Councillor Karen McKeown OAM

E karen.mckeown@penrith.city

P 0401 995 945

Councillor Sue Day

E sue.day@penrith.city

P 0407 224 228

Councillor Mark Rusev

E mark.rusev@penrith.city

P 0466 897 210

Councillor Jim Aitken OAM

E jim@jimaitken.com.au

P 0418 288 488

COUNCILLOR AND IMPORTANT COUNCIL CONTACTS

PENRITH CIVIC CENTRE

601 High Street, Penrith

Opening hours at penrith.city

ST MARYS CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE

207-209 Queen Street, St Marys

Opening hours at penrith.city

4732 7777

council@penrith.city

penrith.city

penrith.city.council

penrithcouncil

penrith-city-council

Interpreting assistance is available at Council or by phone.

Want to know which ward your suburb falls into? Visit Penrith.city/wards

OUR MAYOR

Councillor Tricia Hitchen

E tricia.hitchen@penrith.city

P 0417 365 313

OUR DEPUTY MAYOR

Councillor Todd Carney

E todd.carney@penrith.city

P 0417 762 219

Councillor Robin Cook

E robin.cook@penrith.city

P 0428 056 619

Councillor Bernard Bratusa

E bernard.bratusa@penrith.city

P 0420 581 225

Councillor Marlene Shipley

E marlene.shipley@penrith.city

P 0407 290 537

NORTH WARD

Councillor John Thain

E john.thain@penrith.city

P 0411 427 812

Councillor Ross Fowler OAM

E ross.fowler@penrith.city

P 0419 738 484

Councillor Jonathan Pullen

E jonathan.pullen@penrith.city

P 0407 212 670

Councillor Kevin Crameri OAM

E kevin.crameri@penrith.city

P 0401 995 825

Councillor Glenn Gardiner

E glenn.gardiner@penrith.city

P 0407 214 719

YOUR SAY PENRITH

COUNCIL ENGAGES WITH RESIDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE YOUR SAY PENRITH PLATFORM. REGISTER TO ENSURE YOU ARE NOTIFIED WHEN PROJECTS GO ON EXHIBITION.

yoursaypenrith.com.au