A new $4.1 million “gathering place” has been approved to be built in Cranebrook, with work commencing at the end of the year.
The new community facility with multiple buildings will be used by the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC).
Currently a vacant site at 41-63 Cranebrook Road, Cranebrook, the Development Application (DA), which has been approved by Penrith City Council, seeks to clear vegetation and construct three buildings.
It will include main building areas 1A and 1B, a workshop and a shed, along with a car park for 33 vehicles.
Currently operating out of a commercial premise on High Street, Penrith, the Statement of Environmental Effects said the DLALC wanted to establish a location that it could accommodate all of its activities and operations on one site.
“The enclosed spaces and outdoor area each provide flexible spaces to provide for a broad range of community uses including art, vocational, education and cultural programs,” the statement obtained by the Weekender said.
“These flexible use spaces are supported by reception, administration areas, amenities and storage spaces and will be used as an administrative centre for accommodation of the DLAC staff, Land Council meetings and the Deerubbin Landcare staff.”
The two pavilions that make up the main building will be clad in corrugated iron and have large glazed openings to all elevations.
The outdoor seating areas that will connect the buildings will have a timber deck finish, as well as landscaped paving, plants and pedestrian pathways around the development.
The workshop and storage shed will both be large open plan spaces used for classes, along with storing various machinery and tools.
The site has been identified as bushfire prone land but, according to DA documents, the development includes management plans inclusive of several above ground water tanks.
Typically accommodating a maximum of 20 persons, the site will operate from 6am to 11pm, seven days a week.
On limited occasions throughout the year, the site can attract larger gatherings of up to 50 people where additional portable toilets and waste facilities would be provided in these instances to meet the temporary demand.
Construction is scheduled to commence later this year.
Emily Feszczuk
A graduate of Western Sydney University, Emily covers Local, State and Federal politics for the Weekender, as well as crime and general news.