Response to Submissions report released for Penrith Stadium redevelopment
The NSW Government is a step closer to delivering the redeveloped stadium and surrounding precinct for the people of Western Sydney.
The design of the stadium has been guided by extensive community and stakeholder consultation, that identified improved game day experience, more food and beverage options and amenities, and preserving the general admission hill seating for families to freely move around.
Following public exhibition from 29 May to 25 June 2024, Infrastructure NSW prepared a response to the issues raised in the stakeholder and community feedback. A total of 18 submissions were received.
The Response to Submissions report is now available on the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s Major Projects planning portal.
What we heard
During public exhibition of the concept design in May and June 2024 we identified key areas of interest from the local community, Penrith Panther fans and public. The project team has responded below:
| Key areas of interest |
Response |
| Penrith Panthers members seating | Penrith Panthers ticketed members will be accommodated in the new western grandstand, accompanied by upgraded food and beverage outlets and enhanced toilet facilities. The club intends to work with Venues NSW for current ticketed members to retain the chance to secure comparable seating positions upon the club’s return to the revamped stadium, noting that seating arrangements are still subject to the final design processes. |
| Eastern grandstand accessibility | This much-needed upgrade to the eastern stand aims to increase the capacity and facilities of a modern venue. A variety of hospitality spaces will be available for members on event days and some spaces will be available on non-event days to host meetings and social functions. The redeveloped Penrith Stadium will meet modern accessibility requirements for a diverse range of people with different ages, gender, backgrounds, and mobility. |
| Seating design and spacing | The seating set-out has been designed to best practice standards outlined in the Green Guide (a guide to safety design standards in sports stadia) to achieve ground’s safe capacity and movement of people in, out and around the stadium. Further detailing and development of the set-out of the seating will be undertaken in the detailed design phase of the project. |
| Increased roof coverage | The current stadium provides weather coverage for 35% of the total capacity. The proposal seeks to increase this coverage across both the western and eastern stands. |
| Retaining spectator hills | The project continues to shape the community greenspace to preserve its family-friendly atmosphere. The hills at the northern and southern end of the stadium playing field will be retained, reflecting the feedback from over 3,000 fans and community members. The designs include upgrades to pathways behind the northern and southern hills to enhance spectator circulation and amenity. |
| Multi-purpose courts | The project will provide an improved game day experience as well as multi-purpose community space. The stadium precinct will provide quality open space for outdoor community, sporting and entertainment events. These include a range of unstructured courts for casual public use. |
| Pedestrian flow | Local road and transport operational planning for event/game day will seek to improve use of public transport and pedestrian flows from existing parking locations. New secure entries and turnstiles will be installed to improve security and flow in and out of events. |
| Value for money | The Government’s decision to proceed with the refurbishment of Penrith Stadium within the allocated budget ensures the venue’s amenity and event experience is enhanced, and the stadium continues to be a highly valued community and sporting destination for Penrith and the broader Western Sydney community. |
| Duration of construction | To facilitate the refurbishment, the stadium is expected to close after the 2024 NRL season. Construction timeframes are subject to planning and procurement processes. Infrastructure NSW will work with all stakeholders including Penrith Panthers and Venues NSW to minimise the impact on the community and current users of Penrith Stadium. |