As Penrith residents sweltered through a day in which temperatures reached 38 degrees, the fate of the city’s beach remains up in the air.
As reported by the Weekender yesterday, the State Government still can’t provide an official opening date for ‘Pondi’.
It’s understood a dispute over the future use of the site is delaying the opening.
Today, it became a political hot potato as the Coalition took the opportunity to blame Labor for failing to get the beach open ahead of hot conditions this week.
“Families in Penrith were promised a place to cool off and relax. Instead, they’ve been handed delays and excuses, while the Labor Member for Penrith Karen McKeown is nowhere to be seen,” Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said.
“Western Sydney deserves a government that delivers — not one that can’t even open a beach.”
Shadow Planning and Public Spaces Minister Scott Farlow said Minister Paul Scully’s “inability to manage his department and resolve critical negotiations with Western Sydney Lakes, the private owners of Penrith Beach” was part of the problem.
“Western Sydney Lakes has been waiting for a clear rezoning and development pathway, but instead of stepping up, Minister Scully has let the Department of Planning spiral into dysfunction. Penrith Beach is now another glaring example of the Minns Labor Government’s failure to deliver,” Farlow said.
State Penrith MP Karen McKeown said the beach would be open “very very soon”.
“Penrith Beach was a resounding success last year it was a shame it had been locked up for so long. When I was elected I had lobbied the Ministers hard to have it opened up for our residents last summer and again this year as Penrith residents need access to a safe free swimming venue, for me I see it as an equity issue. I was thrilled to be able to secure $2.5m in this year’s State Budget to build on its success,” she said.
“There are currently works occurring on the site to ensure the venue meets safety standards, traffic management, facilities and acquiring the necessary lifesavers to keep our residents safe. It would have been ideal to have the beach open for these scorching days, however the property is privately owned and the government needed to secure access rights.
“It is anticipated that the opening is very very soon.”
The Weekender has heard that a possible December 7 opening date has been slated.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.