Panthers score a $300m new den
By Linda Silmalis, The Daily Telegraph Saturday 16 November 2024
The long-awaited $300 million redevelopment of the Penrith Stadium has passed its biggest hurdle with planning authorities this week approving the mega-project.
The green light by the Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Department now enables the awarding of a contract with works to begin next year, with completion in 2026.
It comes as the government works through a solution to keep the asset in public hands amid an appeal by the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) over land.
The government claims the upgrade will turn Penrith Stadium into a superior entertainment venue, improving the experience for fans and spectators, while delivering a more cohesive recreation precinct for the community.
As part of the overhaul, the ground capacity will be increased to around 25,000 with an additional 5000 when hosting up to 10 concerts a year.
The stadium will also include upgraded player amenities, including new female friendly facilities to foster the growth of women's sport, including a “significant increase” in the number of women's toilets and improved accessibility. The training field to the west of the stadium will also be remodelled to create new quality open spaces with multipurpose courts and improved landscaping to increase shade for outdoor entertainment and community use.
The project promises to create more than 500 jobs during the construction phase, with further 650 jobs to be supported once it is operational.
Sport Minister Steve Kamper said the green light is a major step forward.
“Today's announcement is an incredible win for the local community and visitors to Western Sydney,” he said. “The former government sat on their hands and promised a stadium for five years. The Minns Labor government has delivered planning approval in 18 months.
“This announcement comes on the back of a fourth consecutive win by the Penrith Panthers, and I will be excited to see not only the Panthers, but women's NRL and other codes take to the field in this superior venue.”
Despite the stadium being the subject of land claim, it is understood the government is confident of working through the issue to enable the works to proceed.
In April this year, the government formally refused a 2009 land claim, prompting the land council to appeal that decision.
The initial claim covered Howell Oval, BlueBet Stadium and a football training facility. The appeal covers only the stadium portion of the original claim.
Western Sydney Minister Prue Car said the upgrade would “set up Penrith ... I know the community will appreciate the benefits these new facilities will bring”.
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