Positive change supported by community

Thursday, 14 May 2020

More than 11,000 residents in the Penrith LGA have taken part in approximately 50 community engagement events, activities, and programs that have been delivered through Council’s Neighbourhood Renewal Program since 2015.

The program supports positive change across the City’s older established communities where it engages with residents to identify local priorities and deliver projects that enhance the social wellbeing and infrastructure of neighbourhoods impacted by disadvantage.

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM said the program provides communities with the tools to drive local change.

“The Neighbourhood Renewal program has continued to evolve with the changing needs of the community whilst maintaining the fundamental principles of resident led engagement,” Cr Fowler said.

“It responds to Council’s long-standing commitment to resourcing older established neighbourhoods and providing opportunities for resident participation. The program enables Council to build relationships and trust within disadvantaged communities, ensuring social harmony is maintained across the City in the context of increasing growth and change.”

It is estimated that more than 5,000 residents have participated in activities that have contributed towards the development of Colyton, North St Marys, Oxley Park and Kingswood Action Plans.

Neighbourhood Renewal has worked closely with residents in those suburbs to develop action plans responding to priorities shared by the communities. Following extensive community consultation, Council endorsed the following action plans:

• Colyton Community Action Plan 2015-18

• North St Marys Community Action Plan 2017-2020

• Oxley Park Place Plan 2017-19

• Kingswood Place Plan 2018-22

Each of the action plans engaged residents in a process of setting priorities for their neighbourhoods and empowered them to participate in driving local change. These plans have also resulted in the coordination of resources across Council and local services to deliver significantly improved outcomes for each neighbourhood.

“The process of identifying priorities and working closely with residents is ongoing and continues to evolve as communities grow and change,” Cr Fowler said.

“Programming ensures Council responds to current challenges across the City’s older established areas as they emerge, and the success of the program is without question.”Active since 2006, and reaching over 32,000 residents since its inception the program has delivered a range of award-winning projects that have responded to the needs and aspirations of local communities. Many of these projects have been delivered by leveraging the existing resources of Council and local services or through external grant funding.

AWARDS include:

• ZEST Award 2018, Village Cafe for ‘Exceptional Partnership in a Local Government Area’ 

• Zest Award 2018, Barefoot Beats' Outstanding Project Promoting Social Cohesion and Community Harmony 

• GSC 2018, Village Cafe for 'Great Community Collaboration' - Runner up, highly commended

• NSW Institute of Landscape Architects Awards 2019, Sprout Landscaping Sydney St Design 

• Local Government Cultural Award 2009, NR Integrated Cultural Policy Implementation in 2009.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Thursday, 14 May 2020.