The Penrith Panthers are celebrating a huge step forward with their stadium proposal after the Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Department ticked off the $300 million redevelopment.
The development will increase crowd capacity from 22,500 to 25,000 at the ground with a new western grandstand and a significantly redeveloped eastern grandstand. There is also the ability to add another 5000 when hosting concerts.
All player amenities will be upgraded, female facilities will be a focus, there will be four new change rooms, women’s toilets will be significantly increased, and there will more food and beverage outlets.
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There is also a plan to remodel the training field to the west of the stadium with landscaping and the goal of creating a “quality open space for outdoor community, sporting and entertainment events”.
The NSW government says stadium is set to become a “superior entertainment venue” while turning the hub into a family-friendly recreation precinct.
“The announcement is an incredible win for the local community and visitors to Western Sydney,” Sport Minister Steve Kamper said.
“The former government sat on their hands and promised a stadium for five years. The Minns Labor government has delivered planning approval in 18 months.
“This announcement comes on the back of a fourth consecutive win by the Penrith Panthers, and I will be excited to see not only the Panthers, but women’s NRL and other codes take to the field in this superior venue.”
The next step now will be finding a contractor, however, there is a possible issue with the government dealing with a land claim on the site by the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC).
Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, a local Aboriginal land council can make a claim over Crown land that is not lawfully used or occupied or is not needed or likely to be needed as residential lands or for an essential public purpose.
A claim can also be made over Crown land that is not subject to a lease, licence or permissive occupancy that was granted before June 1983 and continued in operation as at the date of claim.
It is not the first time there has been a claim for the area, with the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) first raising the issue in 2009.
It has been reported, however, that the government “is confident of working through” the appeal and the land is expected to remain in public hands.
“When complete, Penrith Stadium will be a first-class sporting and entertainment venue for everyone to enjoy,” Kamper said previously.
“The upgraded stadium will be the new beating heart of Penrith, attracting visitors from far and wide, providing a boost to the local economy and building upon the already strong entertainment and sporting culture in Western Sydney.
“Whilst this stadium will be purpose-built to host women’s and men’s NRL games, it will also cater for rugby union, soccer, live music and other entertainment events.”
The development is expected to start in 2025 and scheduled to be completed in 2026.
