Engine of growth
Penrith is a regional city in western Sydney with a population of approximately 200,000 people and growing. We see Penrith as an engine of growth and opportunity in the thriving Greater Western Sydney where the City of Sydney is the Global City, Parramatta the Central City and Penrith as the growth City.
Penrith is also the Adventure Capital of NSW! We have something for the adventurer in everyone whether it is family fun, arts and culture, exploring the great outdoors or an adrenaline rush. The beauty of the Nepean River really sets us apart; it plays a big role in both our lifestyle and identity.
Full time mayor
I was elected to Council in 2004, served as Deputy Mayor in 2006-07 and was elected Mayor on 21 September 2015. It is an honour to represent Penrith as Mayor and I am proud to be the City’s fifth female Mayor.
I had always been quite active in my local community especially when my children were playing sport or taking part in cultural activities. It was suggested to me that I would make a good Councillor.
Currently I devote my time to being Mayor and a Councillor, without another job. I have previously worked in State Government in the field of Policy and Research, which has contributed to my role and certainly broadened my knowledge when it comes to government working together.
Being Mayor takes a lot of my time. I enjoy reading for pleasure, though of course that is limited now as I am always reading material related to the office of Mayor. I also enjoy travelling with my family, which I try to do once a year.
Penrith progression
Council has identified six key priorities for our city, especially in the lead up to the 2016 Federal election;
- A passenger rail link connecting the North West and South West Growth Centres and the new Western Sydney Airport with the western line.
- Transforming Regatta Park and the Nepean River into a regional showpiece with a universal playground, performance space and cafes.
- Dedicated funding to transform our City Centre, create jobs and improve amenity such as decked car parking.
- Unlocking a strategic 3.66ha of land adjoining Penrith Station and the Thornton development to create new employment opportunities.
- Investment in Penrith’s arts and cultural sectors for programming, talent development and retention and an upgrade for The Joan so it can accommodate 21st century technology.
- Major upgrade for Mulgoa/Castlereagh Road – widening it to six lanes from Glenmore Parkway to Andrews Road.
One of our major ongoing projects is Penrith Progression, which began as an initiative of Penrith City Council and the Penrith Business Alliance, to transform the City Centre and deliver jobs for the future. It has been a process of discovery, identifying new economic, social and environmental drivers, addressing barriers to investment, and identifying catalyst projects to revitalise the city.
Following a 12-month collaboration with investors, landowners, community and others, Penrith Progression: A Plan for Action was launched. It has the potential to bring 10,000 jobs and 5000 dwellings to the City Centre. Through investment, development and business growth, it will help meet the 2031 target of 40,000 new jobs in the City.
Championingsustainability and quality
As a Sustainability Champion I am very pleased with the recent work Council has been undertaking. Penrith Council has been a leader in sustainability for a number of years, starting in 1999, when it implemented the Sustainable Penrith Program and I am proud to say that this commitment continues today.
From composting to planting trees across the city, providing trees to the children in our childcare centres and hosting sell-out sustainability workshops, Council is leading the way in creating a sustainable future.
I was particularly excited to meet with Jon Dee, social entrepreneur and founder of Planet Ark when we launched One Tree Per Child in Penrith at Council’s Child Care Centres recently. Council is planting 46 mature trees at selected Childcare Centres that have been identified as located in ‘hot spots’ needing more shade coverage. In addition, we are giving approximately 3000 seedlings to the children for them to plant at home.
I am also a strong advocate for gender equity in Local Government and am proud that Penrith Council takes a lead role in gender equity across its workforce and elected representatives. Women are under-represented as elected officials and senior management and I have been championing for stronger representation at those levels.
