Penrith. Plans gathering dust

The Penrith Lakes Development Corporation has conceded that a change of ownership combined with the global downturn meant the Penrith Lakes Scheme urban development was unlikely any time soon, according to the Penrith Press. In February 2007, then state planning minister, Frank Sartor, unveiled plans for 400 hectares of residential and commercial use with housing for up to 14,000 people. The development, in the largest sand and gravel quarry in Australia spanning 2000 hectares around Castlereagh, was also expected to deliver 30,000 jobs by 2031. A series of corporate takeovers in 2007 saw the project grind to a halt.