Our Community – Local Information

Penrith community 6th September, 2017 No Comments

Penrith is a city on the western fringe of the Sydney metropolitan area, in east central New South Wales, Australia. Penrith is approximately 54 kilometres by road west of Sydney and 30 metres above sea level. The local government boundaries of the City of Penrith cover an area of some 407 square kilometres on the Nepean River flats of the Cumberland Plain. The Blue Mountains rise at the western border of the City area.

From Penrith it is now an easy drive into the Sydney CBD, connect to the M7 to take you northbound to the Central Coastal Regions via M2, south out to Wollongong or finally go west upwards to the historic Blue Mountains Region. Penrith truly is the central hub for entertainment, employment and lifestyle in every direction.  With the beautiful Nepean River running through its centre, the Lakes area with first class rowing facilities and white water rafting centre, it boasts spectacular fresh air recreation for families and the individual alike.

For young families considering a move to the area the choice of local schools is abundant from quality public schools and private and specialist selective schools; Penrith has great diversity.

The highway and M4 Freeway cross the area from east to west. There are two large areas to the north and south of the residential areas, mostly used for agricultural purposes. The Penrith Local Government Area has two Central Business Districts at Penrith and St. Marys.

Penrith is both an agricultural centre (including dairying, poultry-farming, fruits, vegetables, beef and turf farming) as well as a focal point for manufacturing industries. Its industries include the treatment of non-metalliferous mine and quarry products, Saki production, the manufacture of aluminium foil, concrete and building materials, plastics, textiles, pharmaceutical, engineering and electrical products. Service industries include those of transport, storage, commerce and education.

The recent redevelopment of the Penrith Plaza as a regional shopping centre, the expansion of the Nepean Hospital and the creation of the University of Western Sydney, Penrith Campus at Kingswood have further diversified the city’s economic base. Recent decentralization of regional government offices, such as the Australian Taxation Office, has added new impetus to Penrith’s prestige as a business centre. The continued development of the huge Panther’s Club (i.e. Penrith Rugby Leagues Club), the multi-faceted entertainment and resort centre near the banks of the Nepean River, has helped initiate a boom in tourism to the area.

Cultural centres such as the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith Regional Gallery and The Lewers Bequest and the Railway St Theatre Company (‘Q’ Theatre) provide additional depth to the City’s cultural life, complementing more commercial tourist sites such as the Museum of Fire and the natural beauty of the surrounding Nepean-Hawkesbury River, Penrith Lakes and the Blue Mountains.

(Some information obtained with thanks from the Penrith City Council)