Welcome to Penrith Council's monthly New West News. In this issue learn more about the might of manufacturing in Penrith, why our city is destined to become a hub for agribusiness, and sky high confidence in the Airport.
Penrith's history in the making
This month we’re launching a new regular feature – Penrith made. We’ll be showcasing a range of innovative businesses and thriving sectors whose products find their way to almost every corner of the globe.
The series will highlight the variety of products crafted and manufactured right here in Penrith and the people who make them.
What these stories will make clear is that Penrith is the perfect place to establish and grow a business that can succeed in national and international markets. Our innovative approach and hard-working nature mean that industry thrives in Penrith. We have the people, the land and the attitude to make things happen. Our past helps to predict our future and we’ll continue to highlight how our local industry are meeting global market needs – as the epicentre for growth in Western Sydney. Read more.
Pictured: Zipper innovation - Cuckson’s factory in St Marys manufactured zippers and tape on looms perfected by owner Eric Cuckson. The high speed weaving looms could manufacture millions of yards of zipper tape a year. Image: Penrith Library Collection
Penrith made – manufacturing
Kicking off our Penrith made series sees a focus on manufacturing – a stalwart of the Western Sydney GDP, and Penrith’s most productive industry, contributing $858 million to the local economy and providing 7,319 jobs.
Nothing says ‘made in Penrith’ more than manufacturing. From buses to bottles, aluminium extrusion to electronics, reinforced steel to vitamins, a wide variety of products are made in Penrith for local, national and international markets.
There are currently more than 750 manufacturing businesses operating in Penrith, and all markers suggest these numbers will continue to grow. Read more.
Pictured: Penrith made - Transvent Spiral Tubing was established in Penrith in 1975. The company supplies a range of spiral ducting and tubing and concrete formwork solutions across the eastern states. Image: Tranvent website www.transvent.com
Confidence in airport sky high
Defence giant BAE Systems, leaders in 3D printing GE Additive and German logistics powerhouse DB Schenker are among companies committed to invest in the Western Sydney Aerotopolis.
In addition, 10 major Australian freight companies recently signed memoranda of understanding with the NSW Government to establish an on-airport freight hub at Western Sydney International. Read more.
Pictured: Interest on the rise - BAE Systems Australia CEO Gabby Costigan with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian celebrating the signing of an MoU between the global defence and aerospace company with the NSW Government to deliver a space research and development facility as part of the aerotropolis.
Sowing seeds for a thriving Agribusiness sector
Council has identified agribusiness as a sector that’s ripe with potential.
If you think of agriculture in Penrith in the past tense, think again. The City’s current agricultural output is around $172 million and given our proximity to the future Western Sydney International Airport and the potential to reach global markets within 36-hours represents a whole raft of new opportunity.
Penrith will provide the perfect base for investors wanting to explore innovative and space efficient growing methods – think vertical lettuce systems and rooftop honey production – or expansion into the food processing, packaging and transport industries. Read more.
Pictured: Penrith has a strong and varied agribusiness sector
Council part of Aerotropolis Summit
Council’s Director City Futures Kylie Powell recently took part in a panel discussion at the 3rd Annual Western Sydney Aerotropolis Summit.
The discussion centred around “Continuing Commitment to the Aerotropolis” to stimulate economic growth, employment opportunities, improve liveability and strengthen tri-government collaboration. Read more.
Pictured: Council’s Director – City Futures Kylie Powell recently spoke at an aerotropolis summit where she highlighted the local government collaboration supporting Western Sydney.
$80 million investment in ‘mega shed’
A 50,000sqm warehouse will be built by Cadence Property Group next to the existing O-I manufacturing facility in Andrews Road, Penrith, allowing O-I to expand operations.
The $80 million development, approved by Council in June, has been described by the Financial Review as a ‘mega shed’ and will help the glass maker to reduce its transfer costs and its carbon emissions. Read more.
Pictured: Mega investment - Cadence Property Group will build an $80 million next door to the existing O-I Glass manufacturing facility.
Learn more about Airport opportunity
The Forum On Western Sydney Airport (FOWSA) will open their next meeting to the public and also host a drop-in information session at Campbelltown RSL on Saturday 7 September.
The Western Sydney International Airport is projected to open in 2026. It is expected to drive growth in population, jobs and the economy and will be delivered alongside important infrastructure, including the North South Rail Link. Planning and delivery of the airport is continuing, with a recent milestone of one million cubic metres of earth moved. Read more.
Pictured: Plane on a runway
What’s in the Deal?
Signed in 2018, the Western Sydney City Deal is delivering across a wide range of areas for residents in the region. This includes $170m for new and upgraded parks, sports facilities and public works.
Council recently joined leading government agencies to run a pop-up City Deal Community Engagement booth in Penrith last month.
The pilot program of pop ups was organised by the Greater Sydney Commission’s Western Sydney City Deal Delivery Office and brought together representatives from the Commission, Council, Sydney Water, NSW Planning, Transport for NSW and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development. Read more.
Pictured: Window into the Deal - Council staff joined other government agencies to answer questions from a pop-up City Deal Community Engagement booth in Penrith.
Land sale spells investment opportunity
The recent sale of 47-hectares of employment land adjacent to the North Penrith industrial precinct highlights the amazing level of opportunity in our City.
With a frontage of almost 900m and direct access from both Old Castlereagh Road and Lugard Street, realtor Macquarie Commercial Penrith described the site and the sale as one of the largest employment land transactions in the Western Sydney region. Read more.
Pictured: Recently sold - This 47ha site on Old Castlereagh Road will open up a range of possibilities for businesses looking to establish a presence in Penrith.
WSU hot favourites in solar race
The Western Sydney University Solar Car Team launched ‘Unlimited 3.0’, their brand-new solar car on Wednesday 7 August.
Penrith Council is proud to have been a sponsor of the solar car team for a number of years, showcasing the engineering and design talents found here in Western Sydney to the rest of the world.
The car will compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in October this year, a gruelling 3,000km race from Darwin to Adelaide using nothing but the sun for power. Read more.
Pictured: The big reveal - Penrith Council is a proud sponsor of the Western Sydney University Car Team unveiled its new solar car – Unlimited 3.0. Image: Sally Tsoutas
Local research unlocks clue to deadly flu
Nepean Hospital’s Associate Professor Benjamin Tang’s latest research has achieved a breakthrough in why otherwise healthy people develop severe complications, and in some cases die, from influenza.
Published in July in Nature Communications, Professor Tang’s research identifies a particular immune cell, called neutrophils, as one of the main culprits for patients deteriorating when they contract the viral infection.
The importance of this research, generated through The Quarter, Penrith’s world class health and education Precinct, is paramount. At 30 July there had been 184,447 confirmed influenza cases and 383 influenza related deaths in Australia in 2019 alone. Read more.
Pictured:Research sheds light - Associate Professor Benjamin Tang is based at Nepean Hospital, part of The Quarter, Penrith’s Health and Education Precinct. His ground breaking research is 10 years in the making.
Trading on a high
Council recently completed city-shaping upgrades to High Street – Penrith’s main street and heart of our city centre – but work is far from over. Council’s focus is now on promoting and marketing the new look street as a great place to shop, explore and eat.
As part of that push, Council commissioned a series of videos to showcase the improvements and promote High Street as a great place to do business. Read more.
Pictured:High Street vibe - A new series of videos captures how recent upgrades and a range of activation programs have made High Street an even better place to do business.
Workshop shapes transport strategy
Council staff and other key stakeholders attended a series of Transport for NSW workshops in recent months to further unpack the Greater Penrith Collaboration Place-Based Transport Strategy.
The workshops, an action under the Greater Sydney Commission’s Greater Penrith Collaboration Area Place Strategy focus on traffic, access and parking.
The comprehensive plan for action is a shared vision, across all levels of government and community. It includes most modes of transport, is customer focused and driven by “movement and place” principles. Read more.
Pictured: Focus on transport - Consultant to Transport for NSW, WSP Technical Director – Transport Advisory and Planning Graeme Steverson, leads workshop attendees through the objectives of the Greater Penrith Area Place-Based Transport Strategy.
The future of advanced manufacturing
The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre will run a workshop at Western Sydney University on Wednesday 28 August.
This timely workshop will explore the future of the Advanced Manufacturing sector – identified by Council and the Greater Sydney Commission as important for future jobs growth.
Expert speakers will discuss emerging trends in business and the latest advanced manufacturing news and workshop participants will have the chance to tour Australia’s first advanced manufacturing academy, based at Western Sydney University. Register here
Pictured: A workshop on Advanced Manufacturing opportunities will be held in Kingswood on Wednesday.
On the drawing board
Council is considering plans for a $32 million Aged Care Facility, in Jordan Springs, a $28.8 million warehouse and logistics facility in Orchard Hills and an $8 million Affordable Housing Building in St Marys. Read more.
Pictured: Nursing home - Catholic Healthcare has lodged a development application for a $32 million Aged Care Facility in Jordan Springs.
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'.
