Penrith City Council has purchased 16.29h of industrial land and commenced preliminary works on the site to convert it into a hub of jobs and innovation.
Council has been handed the keys to the expansive property, at 158-164 Old Bathurst Road, which previously housed concrete pipe supplier Rocla until 2020.
Located close to the M4 Motorway, Emu Plains train station and next door to the commuter car park being delivered by the State Government, the sprawling site is set to become an employment hub that will support vital industries and allow more residents to find work closer to home.
Penrith Mayor, Tricia Hitchen, said she was excited by the property’s potential and the transformational impact it will have on Penrith.
“Council purchased this site with the vision to create a contemporary industrial hub that will unlock hundreds of jobs within our LGA and drive incredible change in our City,” Mayor Hitchen said.
“This will allow businesses to stay local, as well as drive further investment in Penrith and build on the revitalisation of our City.
“Our decision to purchase the site will have significant benefits for the community as Council endeavours to stimulate the local economy. The development will attract key industries such as advanced manufacturing, ecommerce and construction to create innovative local businesses, and local jobs.”
Plans for the site include subdividing the land to accommodate over 40 industrial businesses, large and small, and create 300-350 new jobs.
The project is expected to inject an estimated $36.4 million into the local economy each year.
Council is working towards a Development Application submission in early 2022.
“This strategic, economic-initiative will see Council’s plans for the expansive property unfold alongside many other city-shaping projects that are coming to fruition,” Mayor Hitchen said.
“The revitalisation of strategic locations, like 158-164 Old Bathurst Road, aligns with Council’s Employment Lands Strategy to support Penrith’s continued economic growth into the future.”
