“This type of investment, now supported with improved planning by [Penrith city] council, will help us realise the potential to create the 12,000-13000 jobs envisaged for the PHEP over the next decade”, said Paul Brennan, chairman, of the Penrith Business Alliance (PBA).
Mr Brennan was speaking following a report presented to council’s policy committee meeting on the proposed new zonings to support the vision of the precinct.
The vision identified the need to expand hospital and medical-related uses around the Nepean Hospital, with a particular emphasis on role for the private sector to deliver medical and health facilities.
PBA’s PHEP Advisory Group prepared the report following the organisation’s appointment, by the NSW Government, in 2010, as the lead agency in the development of the proposal to attract life science companies to Penrith and demonstrate why Penrith was an appropriate place to locate.
“It is great to see council support the PHEP vision by progressing the zonings around the hospital to support private investment in medical and health related uses,” said Greg Allchin, chairman, of the group, when addressing the committee meeting.
“We are working with lots of developers and investors who see the opportunity to deliver medical and research related facilities in support of the vision to create a world leading health and education precinct.
“This new zoning regime, which includes a medical mixed use zone around the hospital, will help these investors with plans to deliver more services and facilities for the residents and workers of Penrith.”
Paul Brennan, PBA chairman, said the proposal was “a great example” of where the PBA had identified real investment potential, and council has supported it with fast tracking necessary land use changes to see this investment realised.
“There is currently over $1.5 billion of proposed health, research, education and housing projects on the drawing boards of more than 20 different investors looking at the PHEP,” he said.
