For the second year in a row Camden Council has given the State Budget a thumbs down.
In a media statement issued this morning, the Council says that despite Camden’s population reaching 146,483 residents in June 2025 and growing at almost three times the rate of Greater Sydney, the Budget does not provide significant investment in the key projects identified as priorities.
It says that with Camden’s population forecast to exceed 256,000 residents by 2046, growth is already placing significant pressure on roads, transport networks and health services, creating challenges for existing residents and highlighting the need for urgent infrastructure investment.
It’s a similar sentiment to this time last year when Camden Council also complained it wasn’t getting its fair share of funding for infrastructure in the Budget.
Its Budget submission this year called for funding commitments towards several critical projects, including upgrades to Rickard Road, Ingleburn Road and Raby Road, a new hospital for the region and expanded healthcare services through integrated health hubs at Oran Park and Leppington.
The submission points out that Camden has the largest urban centre in metropolitan Sydney without access to train services, while approximately 65 per cent of local workers travel outside the local government area for employment, increasing reliance on private vehicles and placing growing pressure on major road corridors.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli (pictured above), said the Budget doesn’t meet Camden’s infrastructure needs.
“Camden is growing at almost three times the rate of Greater Sydney, yet this Budget does not deliver the level of investment needed to support our current and future residents,” she said.
“Our community is already experiencing increasing pressure on roads, transport networks and health services. These challenges are affecting us right now.
“We welcome the State Government’s commitment to new schools at Oran Park North and East Cobbitty, the upgrade of Spring Farm Public School, the new bus service connecting Oran Park to Western Sydney International Airport and cost-of-living relief measures for motorists, including the toll cap and reduced vehicle registration costs.
“However, these initiatives do not address the critical infrastructure challenges facing our community,’’ Cr Fedeli said.
“A new bus service is a welcome short-term improvement, but buses still need roads to travel on. Without investment in critical road infrastructure, congestion will continue to worsen and undermine the benefits of these services.
“The Camden local government area remains without access to train services, our road network is at capacity and nearby hospitals are already operating under significant pressure.
“While we note continued planning for projects such as South West Sydney Rail and Stage 2 of Spring Farm Parkway (pictured above), our community needs to see these projects move beyond planning and into delivery.
“As a key gateway to Western Sydney International Airport and one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions, Camden needs infrastructure investment that matches its growth. We will continue advocating strongly on behalf of our residents to secure the infrastructure our community needs and deserves.’’
