Friday, November 22, 2019 « the western weekender
PENRITH 2026 PART FIVE OF A SIX PART SERIES Our community wants a liveable city, and at Penrith City Council, we are committed to delivering one PENRITH MAYOR ROSS FOWLER
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enrith City Council is committed to shaping a city that is economically diverse, has good transport connections and provides space for its residents to live, enjoy and experience. Penrith safeguards its future and uniqueness by balancing growth to protect its natural assets. The need for local jobs and affordable and diverse housing is balanced with the desire to preserve the character and heritage of not only its buildings but also the environment and green spaces throughout the region.
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As our population grows, Penrith will see development focused around rail- based centres. Outside these areas, there will be a defined urban footprint that preserves our City’s natural assets and landscape qualities and helps contribute to the distinctive characteristics of our City. Balanced growth also means ensuring there is provision for services, infrastructure and facilities to support the growing population, as well as visitors to the region. Our community has repeatedly said it wants a liveable city, Penrith City Council is committed to delivering this.
Soper Place overhaul: Development of key part of Penrith’s CBD embraces the future with modern office space, more parking and recreation areas
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enrith City Council’s Soper Place development sets the pattern for others to follow, says Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM. “At Soper Place you will be able to park on site, go to work, have a great meal, chill out in the roof top bar, sit under a tree, play with the kids in the park or even have a game of basketball,” he said. Cr Fowler said as a key project site Council wanted the best outcome for the city. To make sure this was delivered a design excellence competition was run through the NSW Government Architects Office. “The results were outstanding with the special selection panel making a unanimous choice for the building design
from a number of entries from the design competition,” he said. “The winning design – by architects Durbach Bloak Jaggers – not only fulfils Council’s planning goals of creating a liveable, sustainable city but provides an example for future developers to follow. “We have shown that innovative buildings are possible, and there is no longer any excuse for simple concrete boxes. “Think of it as a building with two characters – the low rise section has space for play, performance, markets and music. “In the main building, there is commercial space, community meeting area as well as a roof top venue with stunning views for dining and entertainment.
“In addition, the 820 car parking spaces – that’s 600 extra spots – means everything is easily accessible. “It is an innovative response to the need for parking, extra jobs, recreational facilities and entertainment venues in the Penrith CBD. “This signature development is also an example of how to create a building that not only looks good, but also maximises its environmental credentials by cleverly using green space and internal engineering.” The plan is that construction starts in the second quarter of next year, with a projected completion in the first quarter of 2022.
“It works on so many levels,” said Penrith Council General Manager Warwick Winn. “The commercial high rise will consist of a-grade office space that will be attractive to many high-quality businesses that will deliver more local jobs for residents. “The location is ideal being close to the town centre with entries off Lawson and Belmore Streets. Community will also benefit from its easy access from Woodriff Street, Henry Street and High Street – making it a highly desirable commercial and community space. The bike parking and electric vehicle charging stations are all part of this forward thinking design, plus the roof garden provides natural insulation to assist in cooling our city.”