Mayor of Camden, Cr Ashleigh Cagney, has called on the Federal Government to "do more", after last night's Budget failed to deliver on the pieces of infrastructure Camden desperately needs.
Cr Cagney said that while she welcomed this month's announcement by the Government that $1 billion would be allocated to securing rail corridors to connect Leppington and Macarthur via Narellan and Oran Park to Bradfield, the Budget did not go far enough to address Camden's priority infrastructure requirements, as laid out in Camden Council's advocacy document The Time Is Now.
"The Budget handed down last night was a missed opportunity for our community, and the Coalition's responses have also not addressed Camden's priority infrastructure needs," she said.
"We are the fastest growing local government area in the country, but we're being left behind when it comes to the essential infrastructure our rapidly growing community needs.
"We're not asking for gold-plated solutions. We're simply asking for what's fair."
Mayor Cagney said Camden Council would continue to advocate for funding commitments for key projects.
"Our families are spending more time stuck in traffic and less time at home, without the reliable and affordable public transport options they deserve. And all of this is occurring at a time when families are facing the pinch of rising cost of living pressures," she said.
"The time is now for the Federal Government to step up and back the future of Camden."
The Time Is Now lays out what Camden needs from the State and Federal Governments across five key priorities:
- Essential rail services:
- Southern Extension of Sydney Metro WSA (North-South Line) - connecting Macarthur to Bradfield via Oran Park and Narellan.
- South West Rail Link Extension - extending from Leppington to Bradfield to improve public transport connectivity and support the Western Sydney International Airport.
- Critical road infrastructure:
- Camden Bypass Extension - reducing traffic congestion and improving road safety.
- Spring Farm Parkway Extension (Stage 2) - connecting key transport corridors to ease congestion for commuters and freight vehicles.
- Leppington Road Network - upgrading rural-standard roads to support the existing community and rapid population growth.
- Camden Valley Way Upgrade - increasing capacity and improving efficiency to unlock housing and address severe congestion.
- Raby Road Upgrade - enhancing east-west connectivity between Camden and Campbelltown LGAs.
- Rickard Road Upgrade - ensuring a critical connection between Oran Park and Leppington is delivered.
- The Western Sydney Rapid Bus project:
- Delivery of a high-speed, reliable rapid bus network connecting Camden to the Western Sydney International Airport, when it opens in 2026.
- A service which is integrated with existing transit networks and connected with key hubs such as Leppington and Bradfield.
- Investment in schools and education:
- Delivering new primary and secondary schools to meet demand, ensuring they are well-planned and appropriately located.
- Increasing the minimum size of school sites to allow for essential infrastructure and open space.
- Addressing capacity issues in existing schools, where demountable classrooms are reducing outdoor play spaces.
- Investment in new and existing healthcare:
- Securing a site for a new public hospital between Oran Park and the Western Sydney International Airport.
- Redeveloping Camden Hospital to expand services and enhance palliative and allied care.
- Establishing co-located integrated health hubs in Oran Park and Leppington to provide comprehensive medical and social services.
To find out more about The Time Is Now, visit www.camden.nsw.gov.au/advocacy.
