Blue Mountains Drive sign is up!

The official ‘sign’ for the new Greater Blue Mountains Drive has just gone up outside the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre encouraging locals and visitors alike to take an exciting new touring journey that links the spectacular world heritage landscape of the Blue Mountains to the regions that surround it starting with Penrith Valley.
The sign features several maps including one of Penrith and surrounding area up to Springwood and encourages people to take several well known tourist walks including the first stage of the Great River Walk as well as the Glenbrook Discovery Trail.
The map points out other interesting things to see and discover in Penrith including the Nepean Gorge, Penrith Regional Gallery and Lewers Bequest plus the Penrith Lakes scheme which includes Olympic venues such as the International Regatta Centre and Penrith Whitewater Stadium.More information about the Blue Mountains Heritage Drive can be found at http://www.greaterbluemountainsdrive.com.au/ and then simply follow the links

Celebration Cruise on the Belle

Nearly 100 invited dignitaries and guests climbed ‘all-aboard’ the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler on Friday, December 7 to celebrate its 25th Year Anniversary as well as see the launch of several City Marketing initiatives including the Penrith Valley Experience magazine and the Tour Ideas Kit for 2008.

Lesley Edwards of Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural & Education Centre also received a Certificate of Recognition for its recent NSW Tourism Award win in the ‘indigenous tourism category’.

For good measure the function also doubled as a Christmas Party with tea, coffee and cakes all served during the 90 minute cruise down the Nepean River.

As the Belle settled in for its short stay in the spectacular Nepean Gorge, the official part of the cruise commenced with the Mayor of Penrith Councillor Greg Davies describing the vessel as an ‘icon’.

“The word “icon” is greatly overused but the Nepean Belle is definitely a Penrith icon,” said Councillor Davies. “It could not exist anywhere else in the world. Our river and Penrith’s proximity to the stunning Nepean Gorge is unique.

“In celebrating the Nepean Belle, we are really celebrating the vision, endurance and efforts of John and Helen Wakeling and family, who have created and sustained this institution through many challenges over the past quarter century.”

A short chronological history was then relayed about the Belle before Proprietor and captain of this unique vessel John Wakeling was called upon to say a few words. John thanked Penrith City Council for all their support over the years as well as his immediate family including wife Helen and sons David, Luke and Simon.

The Mayor then launched the new editions of both the Penrith Valley Experience magazine and Tour Ideas Kit to a nice round of applause.

“These guides will be direct mailed to Seniors Groups such as Probus Clubs, numerous service and community organisations, bus and tour companies,” said Councillor Davies. “They are two highly valuable and successful publications, envied by many of our competitor destinations.”

Following a few well chosen words from Penrith Valley Experience publisher Graeme Dube, it was up to City Marketing Supervisor Paul Page to conclude the official part of proceedings before everyone was left to mingle and enjoy the views of the gorge on the return trip back to Tench Reserve.

“Not even the wild unexpected downpour in the middle of official proceedings could dampen the spirits of everyone on board,” joked Mr Page. “It was a most enjoyable function and as usual I’d just to finish by wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.”

Photo caption: (L-R) Mayor of Penrith City Greg Davies, John & Helen Wakeling (Nepean Belle) and City Marketing Supervisor Paul Page proudly display the new editions of the Tour Ideas Kit and Penrith Valley Experience magazine.

To view a video highlights package of the day go to:-

http://au.youtube.com/profile?user=peterlang1000

Views sought on entertainment and lifestyle precinct

Council is asking residents to view and share their thoughts on the draft Riverlink Precinct plan. The plan will guide the development of an attractive regional entertainment, tourism, leisure and lifestyle precinct centred on the beautiful Nepean River with views of the world-heritage listed Blue Mountains.

Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies said the precinct covers lands along the eastern bank of the Nepean River between the Main Western Railway Line, the M4 Motorway and Mulgoa Road.
“The Riverlink Precinct will see the area become a vibrant hub for local residents and the greater region in entertainment, tourism, leisure and lifestyle activities,” Councillor Davies said.
“The precinct will complement and link to the existing City Centre and comprises entertainment facilities as well as a mix of employment and residential uses.
“The Nepean River is the key focal point. The plan promotes high quality development that showcases and enhances connections to the river. Public access to the river will be easier through carefully planned public domain and open space.
“Council, Panthers and ING Real Estate developed the draft plan. Council now eagerly seeks your comments. Your views are vitally important if we are to develop the area in ways that enable the City to grow while keeping its unique character and special qualities.”

Residents can view the plans at Council’s Penrith Civic Centre and St Marys Queen St Centre during normal business hours and at Penrith Panthers.

Great River Walk

Penrith is working with Blue Mountains tourism to incorporate its natural, heritage and outdoor experiences into the new Greater Blue Mountains Drive, an exciting new touring journey that links a vast and spectacular world heritage landscape to the regions that surround it, including Penrith Valley.

A new Penrith experience that is to be incorporated into the Blue Mountains Heritage Drive, the Great River Walk will eventually provide walking and cycling facilities along the entire Nepean Hawkesbury River system from the Southern Highlands to Brooklyn. The first stages will link the Windsor and Richmond area with Penrith and already most of the section linking the Nepean River at Penrith with Penrith Lakes has been completed. This links with the existing loop path around both sides of the river in Penrith and Emu Plains utilising the bridges on the M4 and the Great Western Highway.

For more information about the Blue Mountains Heritage Drive and Great River Walk go to http://www.greaterbluemountains.com.au/ and follow the links.

Make Penrith your lifestyle choice

Penrith City Council has a new brochure which has been designed to inform anyone who holds a senior position in a Penrith Valley or nearby business about the advantages of living as well as working in the area.
This high-quality gloss brochure is designed to appeal to the business executive and professional. The brochure directly answers the critical questions an executive asks when deciding whether to make Penrith their lifestyle choice and place of residence.
Copies of the brochure are available in either its full A 3 size or A4 size folded for you to distribute or send out to prospective employees the next time you recruit for a senior position within your organisation.
To obtain copies of the Penrith Valley Lifestyle brochure and see how it can help your business recruit the best people please call Penrith City Council Marketing Officer Peter Lang on either 47327 466, mobile/SMS 0409822240 or email plang@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

Experience Penrith Valley in the Central West

Experience Penrith Valley every month in the Central West
It's still not too late to get involved and place an ad in one of four remaining Penrith Valley feature pages throughout newspapers in the Central West of NSW.
Each month the features are supported by generic Penrith Valley television ads running during the hit Channel 7 show 'Sydney Weekender' via the Prime network throughout the central west of NSW.
Past advertisers have found that the residents of Central Western New South Wales respond very well to information about goods and services available in Penrith Valley.
To help you decide if your business would benefit by being in one of these monthly features, below is a complete list of the newspapers the page will run in over the next three months.
December 07 – Mudgee Guardian – Business Professionals
January 2008 – Bathurst Western Advocate – Take the Kids – School Holdiays
February 2008 – Orange Central Western Daily newspaper

If you require further information about the one page 'Experience Penrith Valley feature page' please contact Peter Lang on 4732 7782 or Advertising Manager Rochelle Cummings at the Dubbo Daily Liberal on 6883 2905

Penrith Valley Experience - New Edition Available Now!

Whether you’re planning a holiday, or just a short break, Penrith Valley Experience magazine contains all the information you need to make your visit to the region heaps of fun and, even more importantly, totally stress free!
With maps of the Penrith area, a guide detailing the very best accommodation and restaurants, as well as information about local attractions, Penrith Valley Experience magazine will assist visitors with planning every stage of their journey.
For further information about the guide, or to collect your free copy, contact Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre by phone: 1300 736 836 or fax: (02) 4732 7690, or email: pentour@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au