NSW election: Stuart Ayres, Karen McKeown diverge on future of Warragamba Dam, Penrith Stadium

The two major candidates in the vital marginal of Penrith have diverged on key area-specific issues as the conflicting opinions came to light during NewsLocal’s exclusive ‘seats of power’ election video series.

In an exclusive NewsLocal video series, Penrith candidates Stuart Ayres and Karen McKeown diverged on two key area issues.

The two major parties candidates in the vital marginal of Penrith have diverged on two key area-specific issues as the conflicting opinions came to light during NewsLocal‘s exclusive ‘seats of power’ election video series.

Liberal incumbent Stuart Ayres is fighting for his political life at the foot of mountains, holding off Labor’s Karen McKeown on a notional margin of 0.6.

Mr Ayres and Ms McKeown had clashing views on the futures of both the Warragamba Dam and Panther Stadium.

“The simple fact is the only way you can lower the flood level is by holding more water behind the dam,” Mr Ayres said.

“Raising the wall (of the dam) is simply the best way in which we can mitigate flood impacts.”

The candidates diverged on the future of the Warragamba Dam.

The ex-minister confirmed any raising of the wall was fully funded.

“We’ve allocated funding, but it also requires federal government approval,” Mr Ayres said.

However, Ms McKeown told NewsLocal Labor was against any raising of the wall, instead preferring “levies in the area” and “evacuation routes”.

“We know how floods affect our area and half of those events don’t come over the wall, they come from tributaries,” she said.

Ms McKeown also urged for better evacuation points.

“Our evacuation point was at Castle Hill RSL, which does not make sense at all,” she said.

The candidates, who spoke with NewsLocal for a marginal electorates video series, also diverged on the future of Penrith Stadium and adjacent Paceway site.

“We want to see the best possible stadium for our Panthers, and we support the money that has been set aside for a rebuild of the existing stadium,” Ms McKeown said.

On Friday, The Daily Telegraph revealed how Ms McKeown in a November council meeting voted against a motion in support of the “proposed redevelopment of Penrith Stadium on the Penrith Paceway site”.

Both candidates said they wanted the best home for the Panthers, but diverged on how to get there. Picture: Supplied

Ms McKeown, however, said the Paceway relocation was not on the party’s “list of priorities”.

“We have not seen the business case and don’t know what it looks like – there’s not be one dollar allocated to it,” she said.

Mr Ayres – who has swatted away accusations Penrith Stadium received preferential state government funding – said he was committed to “three things”.

“My position is clear: build a new Penrith Stadium on the existing Paceway site, relocate the Paceway to a new location in the LGA and turn the existing stadium spot into green space,” he said.

Mr Ayres said the state government was “engaged with them (the Paceway) right now” and said he hoped to avoid compulsory acquisitions.

Penrith was profiled as part of NewsLocal’s ‘seats of power’ video series to understand the views of those running for office, along with candidates in East Hills, Leppington, Heathcote and the Upper Hunter.