PHOTO: Penrith Beach. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
Penrith Beach has dodged closure for now, but uncertainty shrouds its long-term destiny as a beloved attraction in western Sydney.
Originally intended as a short-term fixture, the man-made beach, affectionately called ‘Pondi,’ was inaugurated on December 19 with plans initially set until March 3.
In a recent announcement, the NSW government disclosed that the beach will persist on weekends and public holidays until Anzac Day, yet its fate beyond that remains undisclosed.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, labeled this extension as a ‘trial’ period, spanning merely 17 days, aimed at assessing its popularity.
Despite drawing approximately 150,000 visitors within its first month and a steady influx thereafter, Penrith Beach encountered teething problems such as inadequate facilities, lengthy queues, and parking woes.
Tragic incidents, including a fatal drowning and water quality concerns, led to intermittent closures, prompting scrutiny over the project’s viability.
With taxpayers’ funds amounting to $1.7 million invested in an amenity operational for less than three months, deliberations regarding its future are underway.
Initially accessible seven days a week, the beach will now only welcome visitors on weekends and public holidays from 10 am to 6 pm until the end of daylight savings on April 7, thereafter reducing hours to 10 am to 4:30 pm.
Penrith Beach has received a reprieve ahead of its planned closure this month but the future of popular western Sydney attraction remains unclear. Tahnee and Steve are pictured with their children at the beach
Quickly earning its ‘Pondi’ moniker, the beach was hailed as the ‘Bondi of the West,’ signifying its potential as a game-changer for western Sydney residents, according to Deputy Premier Prue Car.
While lauded as a convenient retreat for families, eliminating the need for lengthy journeys to other beaches, opinions remain mixed, with some expressing disappointment in the swimming spot’s offerings.
Critics have dubbed it ‘Penrith Pond’ and voiced concerns about its limited operating hours, closure on Christmas Day, and perceived hygiene issues.
The man-made beach, dubbed ‘Pondi’, was opened on December 19 as a ‘temporary activation’ with initial plans to keep the site accessible to the public until March 3
Despite accolades from satisfied visitors like Giz Gebreyohannes, who praised its accessibility and tranquil environment, skepticism persists among the public, exacerbated by incidents like the car park’s apparent degradation following heavy rainfall.
Moreover, safety concerns arose after the tragic drowning of Seti Tuaopepe and subsequent water contamination episodes, prompting intermittent closures.
Previously a quarry, Penrith Beach underwent rehabilitation before its transformation into a public space, with plans for community utilization upon completion.
However, the project’s progression faced setbacks until Premier Chris Minns allocated funds for the temporary beach, aiming to provide western Sydney with a much-needed recreational outlet.
SOURCE: THE DAILY MAIL