Advocating for Camden
The Time Is Now
As one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions, Camden’s population is projected to surge by 81%, reaching over 257,000 residents by 2046. With this rapid growth comes the urgent need for critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare to support our thriving community.
Ensuring Camden’s voice is heard at all levels of government and across key industries is essential. We are calling for immediate investment to keep our region liveable, sustainable, and prepared for the future.
The draft Camden Advocacy Strategy is now on public exhibition
The draft Strategy sets out a four-year framework and action plan to guide Council’s advocacy on behalf of the Camden community. It identifies key priorities for the future, while remaining flexible to respond to changing community and government needs.
Visit Your Voice Camden to view the draft Strategy and make a submission. Submissions close Wednesday 11 February 2026.
Download Camden's State and Federal Government Election Priorities 2025-2028 HERE.
Western Sydney Rapid Bus
What is the 'Time Is Now'
The Time is Now is Council's advocacy campaign used for the State and Federal Government Election Priorities 2025-2028.
The campaign highlighted Camden's priorities including:
- The full North-South Metro Line connection between Macarthur and Bradfield
- Enhancing our connectivity with key road infrastructure
- Delivering the Western Sydney Rapid Bus Project
- Meeting with current and future demands for schools and education
- A strategic approach to healthcare and healthy communities
Download Camden's State and Federal Government Election Priorities 2025-2028 HERE.
What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is the process of working with decision-makers to secure positive change for the Camden community. Many of the key issues that impact our residents and businesses are outside of Council’s control as a local government entity. Council takes a proactive approach to partner with key stakeholders to represent the needs of our community and ensure our voices are heard. This includes working with State and Federal Governments to secure important funding, policies and infrastructure that support our growing region.
Wins For Our Community
TRANSPORTWhat: The NSW and Australian Governments are investing $65 million to plan key road upgrades in South West Sydney to help build a better NSW. The South West Roads Planning program will focus on seven key road connections within the Greater Macarthur and South West Growth areas. Date achieved: September 2025 Description: From now to 2028, Transport will prepare business cases and plan investigations into the critical road upgrades include Jersey Road, connecting Oran Park to Bradfield. Related Media |
EDUCATIONWhat: Record $9 billion for schools across NSW including a new public school in Sydney's growing South West Date achieved: Tuesday, 17 June 2025 Description: The Minns Labor Government will deliver $9 billion over four years for school infrastructure including a new primary school in Emerald Hills. Related Media: |
ROADSWhat: Funding for Spring Farm Parkway Stage 2 |
RAILWhat: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of a $1 billion investment towards securing land corridors for a future rail connection Date achieved: Thursday, 13 March 2025 Description: The Macarthur region councils – Camden, Campbelltown and Wollondilly Shire – welcome today’s announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of a $1 billion investment towards securing land corridors for a future rail connection between the Bradfield Aerotropolis, Leppington and Macarthur. Related Media: |
HEALTHWhat: New Hospital - Aerotropolis Date achieved: April 2025 Description: In April 2025, it was confirmed that planning and site selection have commenced for a new hospital within the Aerotropolis, supported by a $15M NSW Government investment. This marks the first important step in delivering a new hospital for our growing region. Related Media: |
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What: New Dialysis unit at Camden Hospital Date Achieved: April 2025 Description: The NSW Government announced funding to establish a new renal dialysis unit at Camden Hospital, planned to open in 2026. This investment will support the purchase of specialist equipment and capital works to repurpose existing spaces for the new unit. Related Media: |
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What: Increase to palliative care capacity at Camden Hospital Date Achieved: In the 2025-26 budget Description: $2.5M was allocated to increase sub-acute palliative care capacity at Camden Hospital |
How Were The Priorities Determined?
Council has a range of plans and strategies that inform our advocacy actions available HERE.
Key Organisations and Agencies
The delivery of our advocacy priorities will be aided through ongoing engagement and collaboration with a number of key organisations and government agencies. These include, but are not limited to:
- Sydney's Parkland Councils
- National Growth Areas Alliance
- Macarthur Councils- Campbelltown and Wollondilly
- Business NSW
- Business Western Sydney
- Office of the Small Business Commissioner
- South West Sydney Health Alliance
- Western Sydney Planning Partnership
- Urban Development Institute of Australia NSW (UDIA)
Submissions and Position Papers
See the latest submissions and position papers Council have advocated for HERE.
Media
See the latest news on Camden's priority projects below.
- South West Roads Planning
- 7NEWS Sydney - Southwest Sydney leaders have united to push a bold vision for the region
- Camden Council welcomes dialysis upgrade
- Camden Hospital 'sidelined' by Aerotropolis hospital plan
- Infrastructure Handbrake Drags Down Growth in Sydney's West
- Camden Council welcomes $15m for new hospital planning
- Plans for major hospital at Aerotropolis Revealed
- Macarthur Region councils welcome Prime Minister's announcement, and look forward to next steps for rail connection
- Camden Council Welcomes $1b Billion Rail Investment for Southwest Sydney
- C91.3 Interview 'The Time Is Now' with Mayor of Camden Cr Ashleigh Cagney
- 7NEWS Southwest Sydney Mayors call for better public transport ahead of federal election
- The Herald view: New homes without new schools is shooting planning in the foot
- Camden Council calls for urgent investment to support rapidly growing population
Learn more about the community we are advocating for HERE and our economic profile HERE.
For more information, please contact advocacy@camden.nsw.gov.au.