Penrith City Council has endorsed the St Marys Town Centre Structure Plan, which it says sets a vision, place outcomes and spatial directions to ensure St Marys grows as an authentic strategic centre that meets the changing needs of the local community.
Mayor, Tricia Hitchen said the endorsement of the Structure Plan was an exciting planning milestone.
“Council recently hosted the Connected St Marys event where we outlined the potential of St Marys’ growth and how the area will soon be integral to a true east-west and north-south transport link, when St Marys gains a direct connection by rail to the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport from day one of operation,” said Mayor Hitchen.
“The St Marys Town Centre Structure Plan aligns with what’s to come for St Marys and will help us guide planning and growth as our City becomes better connected to Sydney and the rest of the world,” she said.
“While this is a long-term view, this much-needed planning will enable Council to enhance St Marys for the benefit of current and future generations, to become a place where residents, businesses and visitors all want to be.”
The area is currently home to more than 3,500 residents and Council projects that the St Marys Town Centre will welcome another 11,000 to 12,500 people over the next 20 years.
Council also anticipates there will be between 2,100 to 5,600 new jobs created and around 4,800 to 5,400 new dwellings constructed by 2041.
The Structure Plan will guide the second stage of Council’s planning pathway, which will see a Master Plan developed for St Marys. The Master Plan will refine the Structure Plan directions and inform potential planning control amendments.
“We thank residents for taking part in the community consultation stages of developing this document, and for providing invaluable feedback that will help Council to deliver the best version of St Marys,” said Mayor Hitchen.
“Council looks forward to continuing to work with stakeholders as we take the next steps in our planning process.”
Both the St Marys Town Centre Structure Plan and Master Plan will form part of the Council’s Places of Penrith Strategic Framework.