Council undertook extensive community consultation on the Our River Masterplan in 2013, to provide a strategic framework for the management of the Nepean River and associated infrastructure. The plan proposes a shared vision to celebrate, activate and protect the Nepean River and outlines key actions to connect it with the City Centre, enhance its natural environment, and support active and healthy lifestyles while celebrating its rich history and cultural values.

The upgrade of Regatta Park was identified as a key priority during this consultation, with the community telling Council they wanted greater access to the Nepean River and an enhanced, green recreational space close to the river.

Council recognised the need to enhance both the eastern and western sides of the park and create better connections between the two sides to create an iconic recreational destination for locals and visitors to enjoy.

You can find out more about Our River Masterplan at: www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/facilities-recreation/nepean-river/our-master-plan

Access to the Nepean River from Regatta Park for fishing, kayak launching or viewing will be restricted during the first stage of construction. There are other viewing decks and kayak launch decks around the Nepean River including further along at River Road (opposite the Lewers Gallery), Weir Reserve, the Nepean Rowing Club and Tench Reserve.  

The Great River Walk will not close while construction is underway. However, a section of the pedestrian footpath which runs along the eastern side of River Road will be temporarily closed to the public from the end of October 2022, to allow works to be safely carried out along the eastern kerb line.

Barriers will be installed to restrict access to this section of footpath and signage will redirect pedestrian traffic to a temporary footpath on the western side of River Road.

We are encouraging the community to pay attention to safety messaging on signs in the area and to be aware of construction vehicles around the site.  

Yes, the toilet block on the western side of River Road will remain open and available for public use. This includes the adult change facility and accessible toilets.

High noise generating activities will take place during the daytime with work to be conducted within the hours of 7am to 5pm. There may be times when minor works are extended until 6pm to prepare the site for any forecasted weather events or critical site activities.

Council’s Regatta Park Project Management Team will be closely monitoring the site activities to avoid any disturbances to neighbouring residents. We encourage residents to report any noise related issues to us on by emailing regattapark@penrith.city for immediate action.     

All construction related machinery will park in secured compound to be established by the contractor onsite, with no interruptions to the general public. 

An aerial view of the River Road realignment is outlined in the Presentation Plan. This is available to view and download in the documents section of this web page.

There are several changes to local roads that will affect local traffic movements. While we understand that these changes may cause disruption in the initial stages of construction, we anticipate they will increase pedestrian safety, improve traffic flow along River Road and provide better access to the Great Western Highway for residents and visitors. 

The changes required to local roads surrounding the park include:

• River Road, Emu Plains to be realigned with Lamrock Street, Emu Plains. This includes relocating the intersection from the corner of the Great Western Highway and River Road, Emu Plains 130 metres to the west of where it is currently located to be opposite Lamrock Street.
• The Great Western Highway end of York Street, Emu Plains, permanently closed in November 2022. Traffic is no longer able to turn into or out of York Street from the Great Western Highway. Detours are in place with the realignment of River Road to intersect with the Great Western Highway at Lamrock Street expected to be completed by the end of February 2023. York Street remains accessible from Willow Tree Avenue, Westbank Avenue, Napier Avenue and Vincent Avenue.
• Relocation of bus stop approximately 50 metres west on Great Western Highway (heading West from Penrith towards Emu Plains).

At the end of September 2023, changes to River Road in Emu Plains came into effect as part of the Regatta Park project:

• The Great Western Highway end of River Road has been realigned with Lamrock Street, Emu Plains. This includes the relocation the River Road and Great Western Highway intersection 130 metres to be opposite Lamrock Street.
• The old section of River Road which runs from the southern end of Regatta Park to the Great Western Highway is permanently closed.
• Final works are being undertaken to connect the new section of River Road to the existing River Road. During this time, vehicular traffic along River Road will be diverted via York Street and Francis Avenue.
• The bus stop on the corner of the old Great Western Highway and River Road intersection has been relocated approximately 50 metres west on Great Western Highway.

As of 16 November 2022, the Great Western Highway end of York Street, Emu Plains was permanently closed.

York Street remains accessible from Willow Tree Avenue, Westbank Avenue, Napier Avenue and Vincent Avenue.

This project is being jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments and Penrith City Council under the Western Sydney City Deal Liveability Program to create a community space that will be a destination for people across the region.