NSW Premier backs Penrith Winter Sports World development

NSW Premier, Chris Minns, has visited the site of Western Sydney’s proposed $700 million Winter Sports World development, which was recently granted State Significant Development Application (SSDA) approval by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

Construction of the project - the largest new attraction project currently in Australia and the biggest ever in Western Sydney - will begin in the first half of 2025, with the facility set to open its doors in 2028.

Advising that says the centre will inject $222 million annually into the local economy, contributing $2.5 billion over the next decade, and double visitation for Penrith with 1.35 million additional visitors, Premier Minns stated “I can’t think of a better place for Australia’s first indoor snow resort than in Penrith.

“Winter Sports World will be Western Sydney’s jewel in the crown of tourism attractions, and I can’t wait to see it enjoyed by people not just from our state, but from all around Australia and beyond.’’

Premier Minns, Penrith City Council Mayor, Todd Carney and other officials last month met with Winter Sports World Managing Director, Peter Magnisalis on the site.

Magnisalis commented “Winter Sports World is a catalyst for positive change for Penrith and Western Sydney, and I’m delighted that the Premier (and others) can now visualise the tourism future.”

Expected to generate more than 2,700 new jobs, Mayor Carney said ‘the giant Esky’ would be one of the top employers in Penrith with almost as many jobs as Penrith Council.

He said the project worked in with the Council’s vision to become a destination hub, building on existing attraction and activity offerings like Cables Wake Park, iFLY indoor skydiving and Penrith Whitewater Stadium.

Going on to say that the attraction is a major part of Council’s Riverlink Tourism Precinct masterplan to activate the precinct and provide connectivity between the river and Penrith CBD, Mayor Carney added “it’s been a long time on the cards but it’s really great to see it finally nearly about to kick off.”

Winter Sports World will include:

• A 300m advanced open run for experienced skiers and snow boarders, learn to ski runs and a dedicated winter wonderland snow play area;

• Competition venue for snow sports such as alpine skiing;

• Ice climbing and crevasse outdoor rock climbing;

• 4-star 170-room hotel, conference and function rooms;

• Restaurant and cafes with snow views.

Images: Concepts for the Winter Sports World attraction. Credit: Deep Hill Media.