Mixed use development on High Street refused by Penrith Planning Panel

Plans for a $15 million unit block on High Street in Penrith’s CBD have been knocked back a second time over future flood risks and “critical errors” within the relevant flood modelling.

Artist impression of the finished development. Credit: Atlas Urban

Plans for a $15 million unit block on High Street in Penrith’s CBD have been knocked back a second time over future flood risks and “critical errors” within the flood modelling.

The rejected proposal, put forward by Caladines Town Planning, was for a mixed-use development on Penrith’s main artery, including 41 residential units with one, two, and three bedrooms across the road from Westfield.

Planning documents state the units would be spread across two separate five storey buildings with an adjoining commercial space and basement carpark.

The proposed location of 600-612 High St, is currently an empty lot, but one planner said the space was “an important infill site” with its redevelopment important for transforming Penrith’s CBD.

The empty lot in its current state. Source: Caladines town planning

“Along with other major developments in the Penrith CBD, the proposal provides an opportunity for Penrith to become Sydney’s ‘third major city’ through increased investment, urban amenity and high value social capital in the region,” the plans stated.

However, Penrith Local Planning Panel was not convinced by the development documents, flagging multiple concerns regarding future flood impacts due to the site’s flat topography and location at the bottom of the area’s catchment, ‘where the flood volume and storage is critical’.

After allowing developers more time to resolve outstanding issues the proposal was recommended for refusal in June of 2022 partly due to uncertainty over the mitigation of future flood risks.

A review application was lodged and then rejected a second time on December 14, with the panel unsatisfied residents could be safely housed or evacuated, flagging “critical errors” in flood modelling.

“There are critical errors within the flood modelling which have not been resolved. Despite the applicant purchasing Council‘s flood modelling, incorrect assumptions and parameters have been used in the modelling,”

The site across the road from Westfield. Source: Caladines town planning

It was ruled the unit block was not in the area’s best interest and was not “compatible with future flood behaviour projected” for the area, council documents revealed.

“The proposal is inconsistent with the aims of Penrith Local Environment Plan, specifically to minimise the risk to the community in areas subject to environmental hazards, and reducing and adapting to likely impacts of climate change,” a council document stated.

Other issues flagged were doubt surrounding how future stormwater flows would be managed and concern of off site impacts.

In a statement Penrith City Council said they take “flood-plain management seriously, by assessing all Development Applications against the State’s Floodplain Development Manual and associated planning instruments.”

The developer is able to appeal the decision in the Land and Environment Court within six months of receiving the determination.

Caladines Town Planning was approached for comment.