Penrith Mayor signals official start of Gipps Street Recreation Precinct project

Last month, Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen and Penrith City Council’s General Manager Warwick Winn signalled the start of the multi-million-dollar Gipps Street Recreation Precinct project, with a sod turning event at the 32-hectare site. 

This is a key milestone in Penrith City Council’s long-term strategy to transform the former waste facility into a landmark sport and recreation destination for the community, with Council contributing $27.5M toward the project, with a further $6.5M being received from grants through partnering with the NSW Government.

Grant funding for the youth area was successfully secured by Council through the Department of Planning’s Open Spaces Pilot Project ($500,000), while the Office of Sport will contribute to the amenity building through its Greater Cities Sports Facilities Fund ($1,000,000) and the multi-sport playing fields with LED lighting through its Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund ($5,000,000). 

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said it was wonderful to see the long-held vision of Council and the community get underway and thanked the NSW Government for their contribution. 

“This facility is going to be something truly special for the people of Penrith and I can’t wait to see it delivered for our community,” Cr Hitchen said. 

“We are incredibly excited that the start of construction for this landmark destination can now commence. This site has been earmarked by Council for use as a recreation precinct since the 2000s and we can’t wait for our vision to reinvent Gipps Street to be realised,” 

“Every member of the family will find something at Gipps Street to help them enjoy outdoor pursuits, including multiple sports fields, full amenities, inclusive children’s area featuring water play, a dedicated Youth Precinct including a skate park and our City’s very first pump track. There will be outdoor gym equipment, an off-leash dog park, shaded picnic areas with BBQs and beautiful nature walks too.” Cr Hitchen added.

Gipps Street Recreation Precinct is scheduled for completion by the end of 2023, to learn more, visit penrith.city/gippsstreet