Public Exhibition of the draft Penshurst Public Domain Plan

Georges River Council has prepared a draft Penshurst Public Domain Plan and is now inviting community feedback.

The plan sets out a vision for a safer, greener, and more vibrant town centre. It proposes changes to public spaces, traffic, and green infrastructure to support the growth and liveability of Penshurst now and into the future.

On this page you can:

• Read about the plan, how it was developed, and what it proposes
• View the draft Penshurst Public Domain Plan
• Complete a survey to share your feedback

Submissions close 31 August 2026.

About the Plan

What is the Penshurst Public Domain Plan?

The Penshurst Public Domain Plan is a long-term plan for the public spaces in Penshurst's town centre. It sets out a vision for how these spaces should look, feel, and function, now and into the future.

Public spaces include footpaths, roads, plazas, and other areas owned by Council for use by the community. The Plan guides how these spaces should change to meet the needs of the community today, while also planning for growth.

What are the goals of the Public Domain Plan?

This Plan focuses on Penshurst Street between Forest Road and Railway Parade, and also considers parts of Victoria Avenue, the Connelly Street carpark, Bridge Street and The Strand. The Plan's goals are to:

• Improve safety and liveability: making Penshurst a better place to live, visit, and spend time
• Support the local economy: helping businesses and the town centre to thrive
• Strengthen environmental resilience: creating greener, more sustainable public spaces

About Penshurst Town Centre

Where is Penshurst and what is it like?

Penshurst Town Centre sits between Hurstville CBD and Mortdale. It is easy to reach by train or by car via King Georges Road and Forest Road.

Penshurst train station is central to the area, with shops and businesses on both sides of the rail line. The town centre is also home to three schools and several nearby preschools, which brings a high level of pedestrian activity through the area throughout the day.

Penshurst Town Centre Public Domain Plan Study area. Click or tap to expand.

Penshurst is one of the most populated suburbs in the Georges River area, recording the second largest population in the most recent Census. It has also been identified for growth under the NSW Government's Low to Mid-Rise Housing policy, meaning more residents and more activity are expected in the years ahead.

The Challenge

The combination of high pedestrian activity and busy vehicle traffic on Penshurst Street is placing the town centre under pressure. As population and school enrolments grow, this pressure will increase.

To address these challenges, Council is looking at the whole precinct to understand how people and vehicles move through the town centre, and identifying the underlying issues affecting both.

What does the Plan propose?

An overview of the four zones. Click or tap to expand

Zone 1 focuses on Penshurst Street and the main town centre spine.

The draft Plan proposes to make this area safer and more comfortable for people walking, shopping, dining and moving through the town centre. Proposed changes include wider pedestrian areas, more public seating, more trees and planting, safer pedestrian crossings, and a slower traffic environment that can better support walking and cycling.

The Plan also identifies opportunities for more outdoor dining and flexible kerbside spaces, including accessible parking, loading, bicycle parking and bus priority areas where needed.

Zone 1 diagram. Click or tap to expand

Zone 1 cross section. Click or tap to expand

Zone 2 focuses on improving the connection between Penshurst Street and Connelly Street, including the Council carpark area.

The draft Plan proposes a new pedestrian through-link and public plaza to create a more open, walkable and active space for the town centre. This area could include new seating, shade, trees and planting, outdoor dining opportunities, bike parking, wayfinding, and spaces for people to meet and spend time.

The Plan also identifies opportunities to improve how nearby buildings and shopfronts connect with the future plaza, so the space feels active, safe and welcoming throughout the day.

The Connelly Street carpark site is identified as an opportunity to better use Council-owned land and building to support the town centre.

The draft Plan proposes how future redevelopment could provide improved public space, better pedestrian connections and public parking located underground. Any future redevelopment would be subject to further planning, design, funding and approval processes.

Zone 2 diagram. Click or tap to expand

Zone 2 cross section. Click or tap to expand

Zone 3 focuses on the section of Penshurst Street where pedestrian activity, buses, shops and traffic all meet.

The draft Plan proposes changes to make this area safer, more attractive and easier to move through. This includes raised pedestrian crossings, kerb extensions, more space around bus stops, improved pedestrian areas near businesses, more tree canopy and a slower traffic environment.

Traffic studies are ongoing to better understand the local road network and improve pedestrian crossings and movement through the precinct.

Zone 3 diagram. Click or tap to expand

Artist Impression of street view at the intersection of Austral Street and Penshurst Street. Click or tap to expand

Zone 4 focuses on Victoria Avenue and the connection towards Mortdale.

The draft plan proposes a dedicated two-way cycleway near Marist Penshurst, connecting towards Morts Road as part of a wider cycleway network being developed for the area. It also proposes slower traffic conditions in parts of Victoria Avenue to support safer on-road cycling.

Other proposed changes include raised pedestrian crossings, kerb extensions, safer transitions between mixed traffic and dedicated cycling areas, and space for bike racks or e-bike parking.

Zone 4 diagram. Click or tap to expand

How was the Plan developed?

What did the community tell us?

In April and May 2025, Council asked the community to share their ideas for improving Penshurst Town Centre. The response helped shape the priorities for the draft plan.

Key priorities identified by the community included:

• Better visual appeal and cleanliness
• Safer, more walkable streets
• More trees and greenery
• A stronger retail offering and longer trading hours
• Better traffic management
• More public seating
• Public art
• Cycling infrastructure
• Parking

In response, Council completed a series of studies and analyses to better understand local needs, conditions, and opportunities. These findings, together with the community's priorities, form the foundation of the draft plan.

View the Plan

Council is now exhibiting the draft Penshurst Public Domain Plan and inviting community feedback. You can view the Plan and supporting information in the Documents tab of this page.

Hard copy versions are also available at:

• Georges River Civic Centre, corner of MacMahon and Dora Streets, Hurstville
• Clive James Library and Service Centre, Kogarah Town Square, Belgrave St, Kogarah
• Penshurst Branch Library, 630 Forest Road Penshurst 2222

Attend an information session or drop-in session

We will be hosting a number of information sessions where you can view the draft plans in person, meet with our team to ask questions and provide feedback.

Public presentation: Thank you to everyone who attended the public presentation. A recording is available to watch under the video panel on this page. We are currently reviewing the questions received and will publish them on this page shortly.

Drop-in sessions: We will be hosting pop-up sessions in Penshurst so you can stop by to view the Plans and provide feedback. No registration required.