BLUEBET STADIUM REDEVELOPMENT CASE STUDY · JOHN HOLLAND · PENRITH NSW
Construction Site Security Cameras for John Holland in Penrith
Monitored video alarms and police-requested ANPR cameras protecting the BlueBet Stadium redevelopment, home of the Penrith Panthers.
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
John Holland Site Security Installation in Penrith
Thompson Bros is supplying a monitored video alarm system to John Holland for the redevelopment of BlueBet Stadium on Ransley Street, Penrith, home ground of the Penrith Panthers.
The project is a full knock-down and rebuild of the stadium. The new venue, to be known as Helloworld Stadium on completion, will continue to host NRL matches while adding new player facilities and changerooms that support the women’s NRL competition and the growth of female participation in sport.
The training field to the west of the stadium is also being remodelled, with multipurpose courts, improved landscaping and new open space for community use and events.
The security solution was designed around a long perimeter, a constantly changing site layout and a high number of attempted after-hours intrusions.
REGION
Western Sydney
SYSTEMS INSTALLED
- Monitored MotionViewer cameras (up to 14)
- ANPR number plate recognition camera
- Weatherproof arming keypad
- 24/7 professional monitoring
Builder
John Holland
Location
Ransley Street, Penrith NSW
Project
BlueBet Stadium redevelopment (future Helloworld Stadium)
Project Type
NRL stadium rebuild
14
MotionViewer cameras protecting the site at the peak of the project.
24
Police attendances following confirmed intrusions since December 2024.
3+
Arrests made following police attendances.
0
Reported thefts or property damage.
A MAJOR STADIUM REBUILD REQUIRING RESPONSIVE SITE SECURITY
Thompson Bros was first engaged by Infrastructure NSW to secure the stadium site. Infrastructure NSW had worked with Thompson Bros on earlier projects delivered through other builders.
When John Holland took over the site, it retained Thompson Bros to continue protecting the project.
The redevelopment is a long-running, high-profile build in the heart of Penrith, scheduled to run from December 2024 to around December 2026. Unauthorised access for theft and vandalism was the main security risk.
SITE RISK PROFILE
Why Construction Site Security Was Critical in Penrith
Stadium redevelopments hold large quantities of tools, plant, building materials and temporary site infrastructure over a long construction program.
At BlueBet Stadium, those assets were spread across a large site with a long perimeter, on a well-known site in central Penrith.
The site needed verified detection and fast escalation, backed by a system that could move as the build progressed.
Tools and Equipment
Tools, plant and contractor equipment needed protection from after-hours theft.
Vandalism
Unauthorised access created a risk of damage to completed work and site infrastructure.
After-Hours Intrusions
The site saw a high number of intrusion attempts, so every alarm needed to be verified and escalated quickly.
High-Profile Location
The home ground of the Penrith Panthers is a well-known landmark, making it a visible target throughout the build.
Changing Site Layout
Demolition and construction constantly changed access points and camera sightlines.
Long Perimeter
The size of the stadium site created a long perimeter that was difficult to cover electronically.
SITE CHALLENGE
A Long Perimeter and a Constantly Changing Site Layout
BlueBet Stadium was not a static installation.
The site has a long perimeter, which makes complete electronic coverage challenging. As demolition gave way to construction, the layout changed quickly, creating new access points and changing camera sightlines.
Thompson Bros therefore reviews the security layout frequently and relocates cameras as site conditions change.
Early in the project, a series of detected intrusions led local police to request extra help identifying vehicles in Ransley Street.
Long Perimeter
The size of the stadium site made it difficult to cover the full perimeter electronically.
Rapidly Changing Layout
Site conditions changed quickly, so camera positions had to be reviewed and adjusted regularly.
Repeated Intrusion Attempts
A high number of detected intrusions meant the response plan had to involve guards and police.
Police Request for Vehicle Data
Local police asked, through John Holland, for vehicle registrations in Ransley Street to support their investigations.
Self-Powered Cameras
The MotionViewer cameras are battery powered, so they can be moved without running power to each new position.
The system needed to keep pace with the build and support police as well as the builder.
THE SOLUTION
Monitored Video Alarms and ANPR Cameras Supporting Police
Thompson Bros designed a monitored video alarm system that could be adjusted as the stadium was demolished and rebuilt.
The installation included:
- Up to 14 monitored MotionViewer cameras, adjusted to site conditions at each stage
- An ANPR camera system capturing vehicle registrations in Ransley Street for around three months, installed at police request
- A weatherproof arming keypad at the site sheds
- 24/7 professional monitoring coordinated with onsite guards and local police
- Regular reviews and relocation of camera positions
Up to 14 Monitored MotionViewer Cameras
MotionViewer cameras were positioned around the perimeter, the old grandstands and the site compound to detect and visually verify after-hours access. The number of cameras has varied with site conditions, peaking at 14, and positions are reviewed regularly as the build progresses.
- Verified intrusion detection
- Self-powered, relocatable cameras
- Coverage that changes with the site
- Professionally monitored
ANPR Camera System
For around three months early in the project, an ANPR camera captured vehicle registrations in Ransley Street. The system was requested by local police, through John Holland, to help investigate a number of detected intrusions. It was mounted on a six-metre pole on a concrete block inside the perimeter fence, powered from a temporary board supplied by John Holland, and could capture traffic in both directions.
- Vehicle registration capture
- Installed at police request
- Both directions of traffic
- Web portal access
Monitoring, Guards and Police Working Together
Because of the high number of intrusions, John Holland also engaged a local guard company. The Thompson Bros monitoring station works with the onsite guards, directing them to the exact area where an intrusion has been detected. This allows many incidents to be handled by guards, reducing the number of calls to police.
- Guards directed to the right area
- Fewer calls to police
- Fast local police response
- Layered site protection
Onsite Arming Keypad
A keypad in a weatherproof box at the site sheds lets authorised staff arm and disarm the system at the start and end of each day. This keeps the alarm schedule simple to manage for the site team.
- Simple arming and disarming
- Weatherproof enclosure
- Located at the site sheds
- Controlled by site staff
Regular Layout Reviews
Stadium sites change quickly as demolition, earthworks and structural works move around the footprint. Thompson Bros reviews the security layout frequently and moves cameras so coverage keeps up with the current state of the site.
- Frequent security reviews
- Cameras relocated as needed
- Coverage for new access points
- Protection that keeps pace with the build
Verified Security Response
Monitored cameras confirm intrusions before guards or police are sent.
Self-Powered Cameras
Battery-powered MotionViewers can be moved without running new power.
Vehicle Identification
The ANPR system captured vehicle registrations to support police investigations.
Guard Coordination
The monitoring station directs onsite guards to the location of each detected intrusion.
Need a monitored video alarm system for a large Western Sydney construction site?
THE RESULT
24 Police Attendances With No Reported Theft or Damage
The monitored video alarm system has been onsite since mid-December 2024 and will stay in place until the project is completed, expected around December 2026.
In that time, police have attended the site 24 times in response to confirmed intrusions detected by the system, leading to at least three arrests.
24
Police attendances following confirmed intrusions
That figure would likely be even higher without the onsite guards, who now respond to many detected intrusions under direction from the Thompson Bros monitoring station.
Together, verified alarms, guards and a fast local police response have stopped incidents from turning into theft or damage.
No Reported Theft or Damage
Despite the size of the site, its high profile and the length of the build, there have been no reported thefts or property damage.
For a major builder, the value of an effective construction site security system is not measured only by arrests.
A successful result is tools and materials staying onsite, completed work avoiding damage and the construction program continuing without an insurance claim, replacement cost or avoidable delay.
Intrusions Verified
Video evidence allowed every alarm to be confirmed before guards or police were sent.
Police Dispatched
Police attended the site 24 times, leading to at least three arrests.
Losses Prevented
No thefts or property damage have been reported on the project.
A Working Relationship With Local Police
Supplying the ANPR system at police request helped build a cooperative relationship with local police during the project.
LAYERED SITE PROTECTION
How the Security Response Works
The Penrith project shows how monitored video alarms fit into a wider site security plan.
Every alarm is verified by the monitoring station. Depending on the situation, onsite guards are directed to the area or police are called, and during its time onsite the ANPR system gave police extra information to work with.
Detection
MotionViewer cameras detect movement and send video clips to the monitoring station.
Verification
Operators review the footage to confirm whether an intrusion is genuine.
Guard Response
Onsite guards are directed to the exact area of each detected intrusion.
Police Response
Confirmed intrusions are escalated to police, who have attended the site 24 times.
Police Cooperation
The ANPR system was installed at the request of local police and gave them vehicle registration data from Ransley Street to support their investigations.
HOME OF THE PENRITH PANTHERS
A High-Profile Stadium Rebuild in Western Sydney
BlueBet Stadium is the home ground of the Penrith Panthers and one of Western Sydney’s best-known sporting venues.
John Holland was appointed to deliver the new Penrith stadium, and the project has since reached a major milestone with the western grandstand topping out.
On completion the venue will be known as Helloworld Stadium, with new facilities supporting both the men’s and women’s NRL competitions and new community spaces on the remodelled training field.
A PROVEN SECURITY PARTNER
Trusted by Infrastructure NSW and John Holland
Thompson Bros first secured the stadium site for Infrastructure NSW, which had worked with Thompson Bros on earlier projects delivered through other builders.
John Holland retained Thompson Bros when it took over the site and has since engaged the company on other projects, including a 14-camera MotionViewer system at Shoalhaven Hospital in Nowra and a four-camera system on a recently completed apartment building in Waterloo.
These projects show Thompson Bros can scale its systems from a single residential building to a major stadium or hospital.
The same monitored video alarm system can be adjusted throughout a project as site conditions, risks and builder requirements change.
PROJECT PHOTOS
BlueBet Stadium Security Installation
Photos from the Penrith project show the monitored cameras, ANPR system and site controls used to protect the stadium redevelopment.
SERVICE AREA
Construction Site Security Cameras in Penrith and Western Sydney
Thompson Bros supplies construction site security cameras, monitored video alarms, CCTV, timelapse cameras and nurse call systems for Tier 1 and Tier 2 builders throughout Penrith, St Marys and Western Sydney.
Systems can be designed for large commercial projects, stadiums and sporting facilities, government-funded developments and sites without permanent power.
Available solutions include ANPR cameras, solar operation, wireless transmission, professionally monitored video alarms and custom timelapse installations.
Local Coverage
Construction site security and monitoring systems are available throughout:
- Penrith
- St Marys
- Emu Plains
- Kingswood
- Glenmore Park
- Blacktown
- Parramatta
- Greater Western Sydney
- Sydney
READY TO SECURE YOUR SITE?
Protect Your Western Sydney Construction Site Before the First Incident
Protect tools, plant, construction materials and project timelines with a security system designed for major commercial construction sites.
Thompson Bros can combine monitored video alarms, CCTV, ANPR and solar-powered timelapse into one site-specific solution.