Plans approved for Panthers hotel and conference centre

AMBITIOUS plans for a landmark exhibition centre, hotel and serviced apartments have been approved for a western Sydney leagues club as a massive masterplan is brought to life.

Panthers Group have had their plans for a landmark exhibition centre approved.

AMBITIOUS plans for a landmark exhibition centre at Penrith Panthers Leagues Club have been approved by the State Government — as a masterplan for the entire complex begins to come to life.

The $30 million concept proposal for a massive exhibition, conference and retail centre, as well as a hotel and serviced apartments, was approved by the Sydney Western City Planning Panel on August 27.

A hotel and serviced apartments are also included in the approved Western Sydney Community and Conference Centre at Panthers Leagues Club.

The approved concept proposal for two six-storey buildings set out across an 18,400sq m site in the front carpark of the leagues club was submitted by Panthers Group in April.

“The concept proposal includes the creation of important public spaces and pedestrian connections throughout the site, including central open space located between Panthers Club and Mulgoa Rd,” a Panthers Group report said.

An exhibition and community centre will be located in front of the existing club.

The report revealed the community facility — dubbed the Western Sydney Community and Conference Centre — would make up more than 1200sq m of the entire complex, while the conference and exhibition centres would make up more than 4000sq m.

Hotel accommodation and serviced apartments will make up the majority of the two sites, with Panthers Group arguing the hotel use will “integrate with the adjoining function centre and community facility providing internal connectivity”.

Panthers CEO, Brian Fletcher at the Panthers carpark construction in January 2017. Picture: AAP IMAGE/Simon Bullard

A total of 691 car spaces would be provided following the demolition of the current carpark for the community centre.

Planning panel chairman Justin Doyle said the proposed development would complement Penrith’s role as a strategic centre.

“A voluntary planning agreement has been offered by the landowner, which will address required road upgrades to Mulgoa Rd and relevant intersections at nominated trigger points during the development of the Panthers precinct.”

A bird’s eye view of the Panthers Group masterplan.

The masterplan earmarks future proposals for a residential precinct on the current Mulgoa Rd food outlets.

Basic floorplans for seven residential buildings were included in the plans, which outlined space dedicated to a Western Sydney Community and Sports Centre — first proposed in 2014.