Hand of experience: Penrith councillor and St Marys City Corporation member Jackie Greenow hopes to help bring St Marys back to its former glory. Picture: Michael Szabath
Hand of experience: Penrith councillor and St Marys City Corporation member Jackie Greenow hopes to help bring St Marys back to its former glory. Picture: Michael Szabath
THERE'S more to St Marys than just Queen Street, says Penrith councillor Jackie Greenow.
She believes revitalisation plans should include the wider St Marys CBD and looks forward to sharing her ideas when the new St Marys City Corporation Board meets in the coming months.
The East Ward councillor was the final piece of the puzzle appointed to the nine-member board, and is excited about her new role.
"I have long involvement in the St Marys community," she said.
She hopes the long-running St Marys Spring Festival remains, along with upcoming Halloween and Christmas celebrations to attract people back to the area.
"St Marys has its own character, where a lot of people still come here for the trees," she said.
"It's still got that friendly feel St Marys has always had, where you always get a smile out of someone and everyone's not rushing."
She also believes building residential developments on top of Queen Street businesses will bring more life to the area, and said council had already approved one of these developments.
She hopes to clear public misconceptions about what the council can and can't do regarding problem areas such as the station end of Queen Street.
"People talk about the methadone clinic," Cr Greenow said.
"It has a licence to run there and has done so for more than 20 years, and that's something council can't change and can only keep pushing."
One thing she hopes to do is lobby the council for more lighting at the station end.
Fellow member Steve Perry welcomed Cr Greenow's appointment.
"I think Jackie is the right person for the job," he said.
"She has a wealth [of] experience and has been a supporter of St Marys for a long time."
He hopes other East Ward councillors such as Trish Hitchen will also share their ideas.
The current St Marys Town Centre Management Committee will cease tomorrow.
A sub committee will be in place to oversee upcoming Halloween and Christmas celebrations while the new board waits to be approved by the local government minister.
About 30 businesses have signed up for the trick or treat trail for the Halloween celebrations on October 27.