Official Statement: Latest announcement on Panthers $300M stadium as skipper Isaah Yeo resumes training

Planning officials have authorized the $300 million stadium redevelopment for the Penrith Panthers.

Although the announcement has been hailed as a “great victory,” there may be a problem.
After the $300 million reconstruction was approved by the Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure Department, the Penrith Panthers are celebrating a significant advancement with their stadium project.

With the construction of a new western grandstand and a major renovation of the eastern grandstand, the stadium’s capacity will be increased from 22,500 to 25,000. When holding concerts, an additional 5,000 can be added.

There will be four new changing rooms, a major increase in the number of women’s restrooms, an emphasis on female facilities, an improvement to all player amenities, and additional food and beverage outlets.

There is also a plan to remodel the training field to the west of the stadium with landscaping and the goal of creating a “quality open space for outdoor community, sporting and entertainment events”.

The NSW government says stadium is set to become a

“superior entertainment venue” while turning the hub into a family-friendly recreation precinct.

“The announcement is an incredible win for the local community and visitors to Western Sydney,” Sport Minister Steve Kamper said.

“The former government sat on their hands and promised a stadium for five years. The Minns Labor government has delivered planning approval in 18 months.

“This announcement comes on the back of a fourth consecutive win by the Penrith Panthers, and I will be excited to see not only the Panthers, but women’s NRL and other codes take to the field in this superior venue.”

Finding a contractor is the next step, however there may be a problem with the government handling a land claim made by the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) on the property.

A local Aboriginal land council may assert a claim over Crown land that is not legally occupied or used, or that is not required or anticipated to be required for residential purposes or for a vital public function, in accordance with the Aboriginal Land Rights Act of 1983.

Crown land that is not covered by a lease, license, or permit to occupy that was issued prior to June 1983 and was still in use on the date of the claim may also be the subject of a claim.

“When complete, Penrith Stadium will be a first-class sporting and entertainment venue for everyone to enjoy,” Kamper said previously.

“The upgraded stadium will be the new beating heart of Penrith, attracting visitors from far and wide, providing a boost to the local economy and building upon the already strong entertainment and sporting culture in Western Sydney.

“Whilst this stadium will be purpose-built to host women’s and men’s NRL games, it will also cater for rugby union, soccer, live music and other entertainment events.”

The development is expected to start in 2025 and scheduled to be completed in 2026.

The skipper is back at training. Perinth panthers revealed in latest post on the official website, alongside a video of the squad in trainig.

Yeo, who grew up in Dubbo, played for the Panthers NYC team that won the 2013 Premiership. The following year, he made his NRL debut against Newcastle in Round 1. In 2017, he was given the club’s John Farragher Award for Courage and Determination, and in 2018, the Merv Cartwright Medal was given to him in recognition of his tremendous on-field contributions.

Yeo was chosen as the Dally M Lock of the Year in 2020, 2021, and 2022 and has since established himself as a mainstay in the NSW State of Origin squad. At the World Cup, Yeo made his Test debut for Australia after winning the Premiership twice in a row. He was a major contributor to the 2023 season that won the premiership.