With shelter, seating and palm trees, the Thornton station plaza is now connecting one of Penrith’s newest suburbs to the city centre.
The plaza forms part of seven hectares of public open space just north of Penrith Station, and was officially opened on Tuesday by Urban Growth NSW and Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres.
UrbanGrowth NSW CEO, David Pitchford, said Thornton has delivered major transport oriented urban renewal outcomes for Penrith with features such as the plaza.
“UrbanGrowth NSW is proud to have developed this landmark project for western Sydney,” he said.
The plaza boasts a sandstone feature wall and an inground lighting installation adjacent to a future retail precinct.
UrbanGrowth NSW’s Head of Western Sydney Projects, Matthew Beggs, said the future retail precinct will have a full size supermarket, specialty stores and cafes by 2018.
“We started construction in late 2012 and have provided 2000 homes, seven hectares of public domain, and begun construction on a retail site,” he said.
“It’s taken what was a disused defence site and turned it into a thriving residential village hub with a green heart.”
Mr Ayres said UrbanGrowth NSW has transformed the 40 acre site into a high quality urban village, complete with water canals, a wetland and four community parks.
“The diversity of housing offered is there for everyone to see. Penrith’s tallest apartment buildings are under construction and the new retail offering has been marked out,” he said.
“Now the station plaza and adjoining parks and playgrounds are set to become the new vibrant heart of Thornton.
“The station forecourt is a nice offering for people accessing the station as there’s probably been some disconnect during construction.”
