Penrith City Council has applauded today’s decision by the NSW Government and Penrith Lakes Development Corporation to open the Penrith Lakes to recreation activities this summer.
Mayor, Todd Carney said he was delighted Council’s advocacy for the community had come to fruition just in time for summer.
“For too long, Penrith Lakes has been sitting idle behind locked gates when it should have been opened to the community,” Mayor Carney said.
“With summer just days away this an enormous win for our community. This first step towards permanent access and to realise the lakes’ full potential is just the beginning for this hidden gem in Penrith.
“Penrith Lakes spans 20km2, offers a natural beach and waterway that is comparable in size to Bondi Beach. Unlocking parts of this prime, existing piece of land in our footprint is a cost-effective way to ensure that our community members have an active haven to escape the heat which is close to home.
“Instead of having to drive over an hour to the nearest beach, our residents will be minutes from a fantastic spot to cool off and have fun.
“I want to acknowledge the efforts of Council in getting to this stage. Successive Mayors and Councillors have called on the State Government to open this site to the community – it’s testament to that continued work for our community and Western Sydney that sees us standing here today,” he said.
He said the natural beauty of the site and the activities it can host will immediately attract visitors from across Western Sydney, with tourist numbers set to further increase with the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport opening in 2026.
