THE Dunheved industrial area should be one of the highest priority areas for potential jobs growth, Opposition planning spokesman Brad Hazzard said after touring the business park on Friday.

The Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce organised the tour of the two Dunheved precincts, with David Trist, who was the honorary secretary of the Dunheved Business Park Development Committee for 25 years, pointing out problems that needed attention.

Travelling through the streets, narrow in parts, the contrast is stark: war-time buildings a stone's throw from contemporary set-ups.

At the end of Links Road, Mr Hazzard was shown where it is hoped a link road will be built, connecting to Christie Street, which would be a second entry point.

After the tour, Mr Hazzard criticised the Department of Planning for not spending any money on moving the industrial area forward.

He also issued a challenge to Planning Minister Kristina Keneally to visit the site.

A spokesman for Ms Keneally said there was ``every chance'' she might visit the site depending on certain factors.

The spokesman previously told the Star

that the Department of Planning had provided $505,000 to Penrith City Council through the planning reform fund to undertake strategic planning.

He also said while the funds weren't specifically for a master plan for the industrial park, the preparation of the new Local Environment Plan allowed the council to ``review zoning and development controls applying in employment areas including the Dunheved precinct''.

He said the council could continue to apply for funding for a master plan in future rounds of the planning reform fund.

A council spokesman said the council had applied twice for funding for a master plan for the revitalisation of ethe business park without success.

Chamber president Peter McGhee said the chamber wanted to lift the area's profile.

``It's about creating more jobs,'' he said. ``All we're asking for is an overall master plan.''