TWO major developments occurred this month for St Marys, with Penrith City Council voting to award the Design and Construction Contract for the St Marys Central Park project, and the NSW Government endorsing the St Marys Town Centre Masterplan following its development by Council in 2025.

Awarding the contract will allow the next phases of the Central Park to occur this year. The major project will see Coachman’s and Kokoda parks combined into one new and modern public space, making it a central hub for residents and providing more things to do.

The Town Centre Masterplan meanwhile will supersede the Government’s original Transit Oriented Development designation for the town centre, providing even more dwellings and local jobs than the ToD. The Masterplan was designed locally, with multiple rounds of local feedback, in order to make it fit for St Marys and allow St Marys to maximise on the opportunities afforded by its changing role, with the Western Sydney Airport and Metro coming online.

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney hailed the Masterplan following the State Government’s endorsement as an opportunity to have even more jobs and housing in the town centre.

Deputy Mayor Garion Thain, a St Marys local, says he’s been “really happy” to see the community’s positive feedback to both projects.

“I still think that when locals get the chance to plan their own destiny, we get a better result,” Cr Thain said.

“It’s great to see the Deputy Premier and Planning Minister endorse the work we’ve done to deliver for St Marys this month.”

“St Marys is one of Australia’s oldest suburbs with a lot of history, so it’s no surprise that contaminants were found in the early stages of the park project, but now we can move forward and deliver a brand-new park that’s fit for residents living here now and moving to St Marys in the future.”