Penrith Mayor, Tricia Hitchen, says Council’s latest budget highlights the importance of creating a liveable, connected, active, accessible, and sustainable City for the future.
Council presented a balanced budget of just over $384 million at its June Ordinary Meeting with $153 million set aside for Capital Works.
The 2022-23 Penrith City Council Operational Plan was endorsed as part of a suite of documents which included the Delivery Program 2022-26.
Penrith Hitchen offered her thanks to local residents who took part in the community consultation process which assisted in preparing a “well-rounded budget”.
“Council is pleased to share our latest Budget which is far-reaching, yet practical in terms of scope; we have factored in everything from critical road upgrades and creating local job opportunities to sprucing up playgrounds and enhancing entertainment facilities,” Mayor Hitchen said.
“We are thrilled to be able to contribute significant funding for transformative projects that are under construction or nearing completion. These will bring our vision for the City to life as more people call the Penrith Local Government Area (LGA) home and we move towards a more liveable, sustainable and connected future.”
She said the Budget will enable Council to deliver multi-million-dollar projects over the 2022-23 period including the much-anticipated Regatta Park upgrade, due for completion at the end of 2022, and the City Park, slated for completion early next year.
With a focus on green spaces and places for recreation, Council has budgeted $4.12 million for the Harold Corr Athletics Track upgrade – the City’s first athletics precinct featuring a synthetic surface – as well as $12.9 million for the planned 32-hectare Gipps Street Recreation Precinct.
Council currently has 38 childcare educational services across the LGA as well as a Mobile Playvan service. With more than 4,000 enrolled in Children’s Services, Council is set to reinvest around $30 million in the 2022-23 period. That figure will allow for crucial building and playground upgrades, the Mayor said.
She said vital community upgrades would also be funded, with $16.4 million set aside for Roads Asset Renewal works, $3.96 million for Parks Asset Renewal works, and $8.9 million for Building Asset Renewal works, as well as $915,000 for Council’s Path Paving Program and $85,000 for its Bus Shelter Program.
“The Penrith LGA’s population projection for 2036 is 289,142 people and with the Western Sydney (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport under construction on Penrith’s border and associated transport links set to connect St Marys directly to the airport and aerotropolis, the time to transform our growing City is now,” Mayor Hitchen said.
“Council’s Budget for the 2022-23 period addresses the six key focus areas identified in our 2022-26 Delivery Program and supports Council in our pursuit of making this City a place where people want to live, work and play.
“We look forward to meeting community needs and continuing to transform the City over the coming 12-month period.”
To read the 2022-23 Penrith City Council Operational Plan, visit penrith.city/strategic-planning.
