“The Panthers Entertainment, Leisure and Sporting Precinct [is] a substantial investment for Penrith creating jobs, a boost to the local economy and importantly delivers community facilities,” said Stacey Fishwick, general manager, corporate real estate, Panthers Group.
Facilities include a vertical wind tunnel, cinemas, bowling, restaurants, hotel and services apartments, 37,500 square metres of retail and outlet shops, a 25,000-square-metre, campus-style office park, and sporting facilities.
The development would generate 5000 jobs with 2100 jobs when operational, said council’s Major Developments and Investment Opportunities document.
“This brings a significant new dimension to our local employment and lifestyle opportunities and reinforces Penrith’s role as a regional city,” said Penrith City Council, general manager, Alan Stoneham, in his half-yearly report.
Other issues in his report included the completion of the $6.6 million Erskine Park and Mamre Road intersection upgrade, lobbying for improved train services including quadruplicating of the Western Line, separate freight rail lines and improved bus/rail interchanges.
He said a research project to assess the feasibility of an agribusiness precinct and ways council could promote sustainable agriculture had been completed.
“Recruitment and selection of the boards for the two new centre management corporations for the Penrith City Centre and St Marys Town Centre was finalised,” he said.
They would support the marketing and promotion of the retail and services sectors and assist with business development and improvement, and contribute to amenity improvement and faster activation of public spaces.
