Our giant failure: Future of Lakes still up in the air

An artist’s impression of the vision for Western Sydney Lakes in Penrith.

After decades of failed attempts to coordinate development, Western Sydney Lakes (formerly Penrith Lakes) is sitting idle while the State Government launches a feasibility study for Prospect Reservoir.

As the country moves into what is expected to be one of its hottest summers in years, people further west are calling to open the lakes so they can enjoy recreational and water-based activities.

However, last month, it was announced that the government is looking at opening Prospect's backup water supply to the public, meaning the vision for Penrith's purpose-built waterways could be abandoned again.

"There doesn't seem to be any great efforts to get it open," Councillor Tricia Hitchen told the Weekender.

"It seems horribly unfair and I don't understand why we're being ignored."

After the quarrying was completed in 2015, it was understood by the community that the site would be rehabilitated and returned to the government.

There have been numerous plans to develop the area into an international tourist destination but years of ridiculous bureaucracy has ensured that none of the bold proposals put forward have come to fruition.

With investigators at Sydney Water’s Urban Plunge team deeming the water safe for swimming but it seems the future of the lakes is being given little consideration, even though they could be the answer to cooling down in hot summers to come.

In her final address as the Mayor of Penrith, Councillor Tricia Hitchen said it's a major regret that Western Sydney Lakes still aren't open.

She said it's frustrating that the lakes are sitting behind a locked fence, with no sign of that changing anytime soon.

"It's bigger than Sydney Harbour… the water is perfect to swim in and we can't get in there," Hitchen told the Weekender.

She also said that people from Penrith shouldn't have to travel an hour-and-a-half to the beach when they have a perfectly good one in their own backyard.

"Once upon a time, going to the beach was free but now with petrol, tolls and parking it's $100," she said.

"People can't afford that."

Penrith City Council is "really keen" to work with the Lakes Corporation and NSW Government to masterplan the area.

"It's such a once in a lifetime opportunity," Hitchen said.

What the Lakes could look like if opened to the public.

Western Sydney Lakes CEO Jacqueline Vozzo said a golf course, heliport and wave park have been approved for the site.

In relation to the rest of the most recent proposal, the Department of Planning said more work had to be done due to the flood and evacuation risk.

According to Vozzo, this was disappointing news.

"I think it's fair to say that we were disappointed that our fulsome rezoning proposal was not accepted by planning," she told the Weekender.

"We took a lot of checks to ensure that there were no flooding and evacuation concerns."

Vozzo said she wants the government to be open to having conversations around opening the lakes, so the community can enjoy free water respite.

She also said she has received no timeframe as to when we can expect the lakes to open.

"There should be avenues for conversation to try and bring this to the community sooner rather than later," she said.

"Penrith is always reported as the hottest place on the planet… and we have water for swimming sitting there ready."

The vision for Western Sydney Lakes.

State Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown told the Weekender that the lakes are unlikely to open this summer.

Despite being unable to provide a definite time frame, she is happy to have conversations around the future of Western Sydney Lakes, which are such an important asset for the area.

"I know that the community are really keen to have access to the area and the recreational activities," she said.

"I am committed to working with the Western Sydney Lakes to expand opportunities for recreation in the area."

According to McKeown, the whole site needs to be carefully and cleverly master planned to best utilise this "golden opportunity".

"Let's not rush it and go off half informed with what we can do," she said.

"I think this is an absolute jewel for the people of Penrith."

Western Sydney Lakes.

The Department of Planning acknowledges strong community support for parklands and recreational activities to be delivered as part of the Penrith Lakes Scheme.

"The Penrith Whitewater Stadium and the International Regatta Centre currently offer fantastic opportunities for water-related sports and other activities," a spokesperson from Planning said.

"We’re working with Western Sydney Lakes on ways to open up more opportunities, noting that the Penrith Lakes scheme is a long-term project with many complex issues that will take time to resolve."

This article was previously published in the Western Weekender.