Forum looks at safety

A COMMUNITY forum has pushed safety in car parks around St Marys station to the top of Penrith Council's agenda.

Last month, nine Penrith Council candidates promised people at the forum, held at St Marys Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, to do what they could to improve lighting and safety at the station and nearby plaza.

Penrith mayor Greg Davies said he would begin a safety audit of the station and its vicinity the next day, which the other candidates also said they would join.

Sixty five people, including church and community leaders, attended the forum which was organised by Sydney Alliance, a coalition of community groups, unions and churches.

Residents Chris Brenton and Jacob Moriarty also spoke at the meeting.

"The Penrith population has grown and is struggling with the lack of infrastructure," Ms Brenton said.

"We need more services as a community."

Mr Moriarty said he often felt unsafe in St Marys.

"The problem is not the train station but its surroundings," he said.

The Sydney Alliance's Nepean Valley organiser, David Barrow, said he was pleased with the forum.

"The council candidates said they would take action at their meeting after the election in October," he said.

"We will go to that meeting too."

He said the alliance would organise more forums focusing on other matters of public concern.