Welcome to Penrith Council's monthly New West News. In this issue we explore why the global marketplace has never looked so good, hear about Penrith's proactive approach to heat challenges and find out what's on the drawing board.
Penrith acting now to build heat resilience
Council is working to ensure our built environment is better suited to our climate with an upcoming Cooling the City Masterclass.
Council has also partnered with Western Sydney University to collect data from heat sensors in 120 locations across our city to direct advocacy priorities and promote industry change. Read more
Pictured: Penrith Mayor, Ross Fowler OAM said data collected from the heat sensors would help guide Council’s advocacy priorities.
Regatta Park celebrates our river
Council is progressing its plans to deliver a more activated Regatta Park; asking the community for input in the $24 million upgrade to one of the most popular spots on the Nepean River.
The upgraded park will deliver on Council’s plans to maximise the potential of the river precinct, boosting our tourism sector and delivering flow on benefits to the broader Penrith business community. Read more
Pictured: Council is seeking community feedback on draft plans for the enhanced Regatta Park Playground.
The Quarter continues to grow
Investment in The Quarter continues with the first sod turned on a $50 million Health Hub and plans submitted to Council for a private hospital.
The $50 million Nepean Health Hubwill provide space for General Practitioners, specialists, research, allied and mental health services, dental services, diagnostic imaging and more.
Polaris Property Group has lodged a $29.8 million development application with Penrith Council for a private hospital in Orth Street, Kingswood.
Theproposed five storey health services facility would sit adjacent to the Nepean Hospital site and include mental health and rehabilitation units as well as consultation rooms, a hydrotherapy pool and physiotherapy gym.
Pictured: The Quarter will gain a private hospital, focused on mental health and rehabilitation and a multi-discipline Health Hub.
The sky’s the limit for Penrith Made
With Western Sydney International Airport under construction on our border, opportunities for Penrith businesses to enter the export market are on the rise.
The future airport and its 36-hour global market place means it’s time to rethink what Penrith can send out into the world.
In this month’s Penrith Made feature we meet a local business who has defied the stereotypes for decades, with GPC Electronics exporting electrical components to Asia and other international markets. Fellow Penrith business, Ensitech, also exports their products and world leading innovative solutions around the world, and has been recognised as an export leader. Read more
Pictured: With Western Sydney International Airport rising on Penrith’s border the sky’s the limit for some of our current export champions including GPC Electronics (left) and Ensitech (right).
Penrith provides support for
fire-affected communities
Winston Express Haulage has made several trips to the South Coast over the past few weeks delivering much needed food, clothing and medical supplies to towns affected by the ongoing bushfire emergency.
The goods have been donated by Penrith residents and businesses eager to do what they can to support those who have lost their homes and possessions. Read more
Other initiatives include Penrith Council's provision of operational support to neighbouring Blue Mountains City Council during the fire threat in the region. Read more
For those affected by the recent fires, NSW Government disaster recovery grants are available to eligible businesses. Read more
Pictured: Local generosity makes a difference to fire ravaged communities.
Grants STEM from support of youth
Penrith Council’s 2019 Mayoral Skills Summit identified a jobs and skills deficit that the growing “STEM” sector could help redress.
Industries built on the pillars of STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – are expected to form the backbone of the future Aerotropolis and the future Sydney Science Park.
And, in recognition of this unprecedented opportunity, the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Innovation and Science is offering The Maker Projects: Community STEM Engagement grants of up to $100,000.Read more
Pictured: Businesses keen to help young people access training in STEM related disciplines could be eligible for a grant.
Fee-free training could bridge skill gap
TAFE NSW Regional General Manager Michael Cullen has urged school leavers to take advantage of fee-free training to equip them with the skills they need to secure jobs with local employers who are crying out for qualified employees. Employers benefit too, with their staff receiving recognised qualifications and training.
Mr Cullen, who took part in Council’s recent Mayoral Skills Summit said the fee-free training, with several courses available at TAFE NSW Nepean, aligns with the need to address the skills gap and lack of practical workplace learning that young people face when they leave school. Read more
Pictured: Fee-courses from TAFE NSW could be part of the solution for a skills gap in Western Sydney.
Penrith Jobs Fair
The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business is holding a jobs fair in Penrith next month.
The Penrith Jobs Fair will be held at Penrith Valley Regional Sport Club on 7 February, bringing together job seekers, employers, employment service providers and recruitment agencies from the Greater Western Sydney region.
Local employers can profile their opportunities to potential staff, expressions of interest close on 31 January. Read more
Pictured: Businesses and job seekers will be brought together at the Penrith Jobs Fair next month.
On the drawing board
Council is currently considering two development applications for Jordan Springs.
In Jordan Springs East Village, the $47 million proposal by La Land Pty Ltd (left) is for a four to six storey mixed use development including ground and first floor commercial and retail space, a 154-place childcare centre, 124 residential apartments, 11 town houses and 358 basement car parking spaces. Read more
The second stage of an approved concept development application has also been lodged with Council for independent living apartments at 39 Jordan Springs Boulevard, Jordan Springs (right). Read more
Council is also reviewing an application for a new $29.8 million private hospital in Kingswood. Read more
Penrith is a place of limitless opportunity. It is located at the point where Sydney’s north-south growth arc, Australia’s most significant future economic corridor, crosses the east-west connection. Penrith is the heart of this Growth City, which we call the 'New West'.
