- Site was purchased by the council in June 2021
- Council is hopeful the site will encourage local employment opportunities
- Expected to drive over $36 million into the economy annually
The Penrith City Council has submitted a development application for a new 16-hectare industrial employment hub in Emu Plains.
The 16.29-hectare site at 158-164 Old Bathurst Road is poised to be a centre for growth and innovation in the booming Western Suburbs of Sydney. It was purchased by the council in June 2021 from the previous owners, Rocla, a concrete pipe supplier.
The site will be subdivided into over 40 small-to-medium-sized industrial lots. The council hopes this drives businesses closer to home thus boosting local employment opportunities.
Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchens added the project aligns with the council’s commitment to revitalising the city, as well as their Employment Lands Strategy.
“Council is playing a leading role to drive economic growth and productivity for our city by identifying strategic sites for employment and industrial lands, such as 158-164 Old Bathurst Road,” Cr Hitchen said.
“The proposed industrial precinct at 158-164 Old Bathurst Road will leverage this advantage, drive opportunities for Penrith and inject an estimated $36.4 million into the local economy each year.
Tricia Hitchens, Penrith Mayor
Cr Hitchen added the hub will generate around 300-350 ongoing jobs, including sectors such as advanced manufacturing, e-commerce and construction, meeting the council’s employment targets.
“COVID-19 has accelerated the growth of the industrial property market with increasing e- commerce requirements causing companies to look towards Western Sydney for more space to strengthen their supply chains,” she added.
“The industrial precinct at 158-164 Old Bathurst Road is a strategic project for Council to attract investment to our city and deliver on the undersupply of industrial land to support businesses to start up or scale up.”
To support the subdivision of the precinct, a landscaping plan has been developed to ensure extensive greenery. The wetlands will be enhanced as an important ecological feature.
It is near the M4 Motorway, Emu Plains train station and the future Western Sydney Airport, scheduled for opening in 2026.
