Penrith. Council reviewing submissions

Penrith City Council is reviewing public submissions on a plan to build Norwest-type offices, an exhibition centre and a Norton Street-style alfresco strip around Panthers. Panthers Group and ING Real Estate Development have entered into a joint venture, the Panthers Partnership. Penrith City Centre Association spokesman, Gordon Henwood, said it supported a recreation, leisure and entertainment precinct, but said a ‘‘duplicate CBD’’ would have a ‘‘devastating effect on the city as a whole’’. Westfield objected to the plan based on the rezoning of land for retail and the level of retail proposed. Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce president, Peter McGhee, said the chamber supported development that contributed to jobs and the economy. A council spokesman said should it support the proposal it would submit it to the Department of Planning for the final stages of rezoning