Free
weekender CITIZEN OF THE YEAR the western
Friday, July 28, 2023
www.westernweekender.com.au
INSIDE: Pages 24-29
PENRITH’S #1 NEWSPAPER
Penrith Panthers legend Royce Simmons has been bestowed a special local honour, as his fight against dementia continues. Makalya Muscat reports on pages 2-3
Royce Simmons.
REVEALED: THE MAJOR WESTINVEST PROMISES IN PENRITH “UNDER REVIEW”
FUNDING S IN DOUBT
TROY DODDS
ignificant local funding commitments made on the eve of the State Election are in doubt, the Weekender can reveal. In its dying days, the Coalition government announced $15 million in funding to progress the development of the Penrith Lakes precinct as a key tourism, recreation and sporting destination, as well as $65 million to Fernhill Estate to transform the historic site into a 423 hectare public park.
The funding promises were not election commitments but were made as part of the WestInvest Program. WestInvest is split across three streams, including a competitive round for community groups and non-government organisations, a Local Government Allocation and NSW Government projects. Penrith Lakes and Fernhill would fall into the latter and the current Labor government has confirmed both are under review. Story continues on » p. 6
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