Soper Place is located between Belmore Street and Lawson Street in the Penrith City Centre with access via Lawson and Woodriff Streets.

The planning for Soper Place commenced prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and while the project originally commenced with a view to satisfying the demand for parking in the Penrith City Centre, it evolved to leverage Council’s investment in infrastructure and to meet design excellence requirements. The final project included an integrated car park with commercial development consisting of 6,300sqm of ‘A’ grade office space.

As market conditions have changed significantly since the inception of the project and with development consent anticipated, in late 2022 Council commenced its routine process of reviewing the cost of the development to inform a revised Capital Expenditure Report. This process is part of Council’s control measures to ensure our projects and programs meet the community and organisation's expectations in terms of reasonable and responsible outcomes.

This process revealed that significantly more capital would be required to deliver this project at this time.

For this reason, and under our principles of responsible financial management, not pursuing this project at this time means we continue to move forward in delivering the $500 million in City-shaping projects that we have planned or underway across the City.

Council is committed to revitalising the Penrith City Centre with over $500 million of City-shaping projects either planned or underway across the Local Government Area. This includes Penrith City Park a significant green space approximately 7,000sqm in size on the corner of Henry and Station Streets.

City Park provides a space for everyone to meet, retreat, eat, be active and connect together in the City Centre.

Other projects outside of the Penrith City Centre include Regatta Park, Gipps Street Recreation Precinct, and the St Marys Town Centre, including a new Central Park and City Centre renewal.

This significant program of work ensures that Council continues to build and transform our City into the most liveable in the State for residents and businesses now and into the future in the most financially responsible way.

The Penrith City Centre remains a vibrant and dynamic economic hub. Council’s decision to not pursue the delivery of Soper Place at this time has enabled the site to remain open to the community as at-grade parking. This means parking for shoppers, visitors and commuters, in the City. Providing parking close to the City Centre will continue to support ongoing business activity throughout the Penrith CBD.

The Soper Place site currently has 126 at-grade all day car parking spots that are open for the benefit of shoppers, visitors and commuters in the Penrith City Centre to support local businesses.

Progress to date on the project has included completion of the required infrastructure to service the site for future development, including underground services and utilities. These important works have de-constrained the site, making it ready and available for future development. This approach is in line with Council’s wider objectives of responsible financial management and strategic planning for the long-term benefit of the community.

Council remains dedicated to the Cooling the City initiative, which includes the successful delivery of Penrith City Park completed in late 2023, along with several other initiatives including significant tree planting programs, waste and resource recovery initiatives that generate a circular economy and upgrades to Council’s nursery facility.

Council continues to maintain its commitment to sustainable design and architecture and will prioritise environmental responsibility and award-winning practices wherever possible.

The at-grade car park at Soper Place remains open for the benefit of shoppers, visitors, and commuters, to the Penrith City Centre. Council understands that parking is a key concern for residents and as such, will continue to review our car parking strategy to ensure it aligns with the needs and aspirations of our community and businesses. Council is committed to delivering efficient, safe and accessible car parking solutions that enhance the overall liveability of the Penrith Local Government Area. 

Additionally, nearby 9-hour parking (243 parking spaces) is available at North Street car park, located on the corner of Henry and Doonmore Street, approximately five minutes walk from Soper Place.

To find out more about available parking in the Penrith City Centre, you can download Penrith’s Parking app ParkPenrith, or download a printable map or view our interactive map at: penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/parking.

For general information about the project, please email Council’s Property team at soperplacerevitalisation@penrith.city