Campbelltown council has released a new urban plan that reimagines the south-west regional centre as a “true metropolitan CBD” to cater for the population boom.
New South Wales’ Macarthur region is expected to grow by 800,000 people in the next 25 years, and Campbelltown is set to double in size. Mayor George Brticevic said growth in the area would be boosted by the new Western Sydney Airport.
The draft of the new urban plan strategy was prepared by Deloitte in collaboration with Cox Architecture and council to help ensure the city, and wider Macarthur region, is positioned to leverage the population growth, investment and opportunities of the future.
The first stage of Campbelltown's new urban plan focuses on building up Campbelltown’s CBD to stop two thirds of the local workforce having to leave the area for work. The city will aim to become a compact, “30 minute-or-less” city, with jobs and amenities readily accessible.
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The Reimagining Campbelltown new urban plan strategy outlines plans for green rooftops, affordable housing and encourages retrofitted buildings powered by sustainable energy with the final goal of a carbon neutral CBD.
Streets and public spaces will be designed to reconnect to the natural environment by creating “urban stormwater reed-bed solutions” along footpaths.
Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue chairman Christopher Brown says the vision for the new urban plan is centered on leveraging existing assets in health and education and creating a “smart and sustainable” city to attract talent and investment.
Campbelltown “is a place that is capable of breeding both corporates, and koalas. A green smart city where people want to work, live and visit,” Brown said.
A key part of the new urban plan draft strategy is focused on the creation of a new Health and Education Precinct in Campbelltown’s CBD, to be launched by NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes.
At 400 hectares, the $2 billion precinct, which includes Campbelltown Hospital, Campbelltown Private Hospital, and the Macarthur Clinical School, along with Western Sydney University and TAFE NSW campuses, is the largest of Western Sydney’s five health and education precincts.
In order to support the forecasted population growth, Campbelltown Mayor George Brticevic says council has to start planning for the necessary infrastructure, jobs, and homes immediately.
“We can’t afford to just sit back and wait for growth to overtake us – we need to get on with the job of planning and building a city that people will want to invest in, want to live, and want to visit.”
Council will soon commence a program of engagement seeking feedback on the draft report from community, business and government.
