Waterfront eateries, inland beach flagged for Sydney’s west
WORKS are in full flow along the Nepean River as investors clamour to bring waterfront fine dining options, with talk of an inland beach in the pipeline.
Penrith
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NEPEAN River has become a hotbed of development activity, as local landowners clamour to invest in the area.
Two local brothers, Charles and Steven Sentas, are investing close to $6 million on a dining hub for up to 11 cafes or restaurants beside the Coffee Club on Tench Ave, and Emu Hall owner Paul McDonald is investing $2.6 million on a function venue on the banks of the majestic river.
Penrith Councillor Karen McKeown welcomed the investment.
“All that development ties in really well with council’s strategies for healthy communities and the night-time economy,” she said.
Rowing Australia is also building a women’s national training centre, to accommodate up to 25 elite female rowers, at Weir Reserve.
“In the case of the restaurants and the Emu Hall, they’re local people who are putting up their hard-earned money,” said Warwick Stimson, the consultant town planner for both projects.
“It’s lucky there are local people with the drive to commit to the community, guys who are really driven not for a dollar outcome but a community outcome.”
The restaurant strip along Tench Avenue is “going through a detailed design”, Mr Stimson said.
Mr McDonald plans to convert the historic 1852 Emu Hall homestead into a restaurant and to construct a function centre on the embankment of their three-acre property, adjoining the new Green Bridge.
Mr Stimson expects the Emu Hall development application could be approved within the month.
“He wants to open before the Green Bridge opens,” Mr Stimson said.
Rowing Australia is building a women’s national training centre for up to 25 elite female rowers. Mr Stimson said the $930,000 rowing training centre, to be built next door to the Nepean Rowing Club in Weir Reserve with $200,000 of state government funding, should begin construction by May.
The project also includes a Federal Government commitment of $270,000 towards a new landing on the river.
Mr Stimson said he’d also like to see Weir Reserve activated, saying “it’s recreation zoned”.
“You could have kiosks, cafes, restaurants — they’re consistent uses along the river,” he said.
Rowing Club manager Greg Hinvest said they had introduced all-day weekend dining for its 5500 members and would install new terrace furniture shortly.
“Eventually we will go up,” Mr Hinvest said.
Co-owner of the gallery cafe on River Rd, Cafe at Lewers, Ben Dorrell credited the council’s River Walk for increasing foot traffic.
The gallery cafe, which already hosts a popular evening summertime live music and cocktail program, is looking to introduce monthly themed dinners.
The Bennett’s on the River restaurant and cafe on the opposite side of the river has ceased operation, but co-owner Carol Bennett assured the Press the Nepean Belle, which they also own, was here to stay.
She said they would soon introduce rainbow cruises “because we’re for all parts of the community”.
The licensed food venue had been operating out of the Nepean Belle’s sister ship the Platypus on the river foreshore, opposite the Coffee Club.
“(The Belle) is more popular than ever but we just decided we wanted to take a new direction,” Ms Bennett said.
Council activities designed to activate the river have included free community events, such as Cinema in the Park, Music by the River, and the Real Festival which drew over 20,000 people.
Following this success, the Real Festival will be held again in November this year,” the council’s spokesman said.
Cr McKeown said: “Whenever we talk to residents residents have always said we don’t make enough of the river and that we should. It’s one of our most beautiful natural resources.”
Ms Bennett agreed, saying she was “very excited” to see a surge in activity along the river, adding “it’s (the river) finally getting recognition it deserves as one of the jewels of the west”.
PUSH FOR LAGOON BEACH NEAR PARK
A MAN-MADE beach could also be on the cards for Penrith CBD, or Emu Plains.
“Ideally we would like to have a lagoon beach scenario, possibly around Regatta Park,” Penrith councillor Karen McKeown said.
Council’s New West planning document outlines a potential “lagoon, urban beach” in a Community, Culture + Civic Precinct, off Mulgoa Rd.
“We’d be looking at all (site) options,” Cr McKeown said.
“Wherever we have provided water play, splash pads, they’re enormously popular with the community.
“We’re always looking at ways to cool the city and provide entertainment and water spots for families and kids to cool off on hot summer days.”
A project to rejuvenate Regatta Park, on the western side of the Nepean River, has stalled due to funding.
The council needs $19 million to realise its vision which includes a floating stage for performances, a multipurpose space, a play area, a kiosk/cafe, and a restaurant with views across the river. “Council has engaged the services of a design consultant who is undertaking design of the re-routing of River Rd,” the council’s spokesman said.
“We will work with property owners as the project progresses to ensure any impacts are minimised, while delivering a project that benefits the whole community.
“Regatta Park implementation is currently unfunded beyond design and is subject to further advocacy.”
Council’s ‘Our River Masterplan’, endorsed in November 2013, sets out ways to improve views and access to the Nepean River.
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