Camden Council has embraced a Macarthur FC proposal for a new stadium in Oran Park and is currently putting together a community stadium working group.
Two councillors, community and sporting representatives, including one from Macarthur FC, will be on the working group being set up to turn dream into reality.
The Bulls approached Camden Council at the start of this year with a proposal for a $20 million stadium to be built over the next two financial years.
Council officers recommended that the request be declined, but councillors, all except one, voted to look into it during the May 12 meeting.
This was the recommendation from council’s professional staff: “That Council decline the Macarthur FC proposal and advise the proponent of council’s decision including information on the legal and financial constraints for the use of Council funds;
advocate to the NSW Government for the planning and delivery of regional-scale sporting and community infrastructure including a stadium for significant sporting fixtures which supports Camden and the Macarthur region’s population growth and broader community outcomes.’’
What was approved was an amendment lodged by Councillor Damien Quinnell and seconded by Councillor Vince Ferreri – who is now the mayor – that said:
- “Council thank Macarthur Football Club for their proposal and for recognising that the residents of the Camden LGA deserve a community stadium;
- recognise that a purpose-built community stadium would be an important piece of community infrastructure that allows Camden residents to enjoy sport and larger community events close to home, while also supporting the local economy and boosting tourism;
- note the legal advice provided in the Business Paper in regard to the use of Developer Contributions and request staff obtain advice from the relevant NSW Government Minister’s office to be presented to Councillors at an upcoming strategic workshop;
- advise Macarthur Football Club that Council is not in a position to proceed with their current proposal from reserve funding or loan borrowings in the 2026/27 financial year budget; and engage local stakeholders, including Macarthur Football Club and elected representatives, to create a Working Group to outline a plan to build a Council owned Community Stadium within the Camden Growth Centre close to a future Metro station site, within the next five years, and provide a report to Councillors on all options within six months on its progress.’’
All councillors present at the meeting voted in favour of the amendment, while veteran councillor Eva Campbell voted against it.
The Bulls proposed that a stadium be built on vacant land at Dick Johnson Drive, Oran Park, adjacent to the Oran Park Hotel, owned by Greenfields Development Company.
“Conceptual information provided to date indicates that the proposal would involve a modular stadium with a seating capacity of approximately 6,000 spectators plus 500 corporate seats, with the ability to scale up to 10,000 seats in the future,’’ said a report to council.
“The stadium would include a full-size professional A-League playing surface, broadcast-quality floodlighting and food and beverage facilities.
“Macarthur FC has indicated that responsibility for designing, constructing and operating the venue would rest with Macarthur FC.
“Macarthur FC has advised that the proposed stadium would support approximately 86 programmed event days per year. This would include 15 A-League home games, four major concert events, a New Year’s Day festival, Bulls FC Academy fixtures, Football NSW events and a number of multicultural festivals.
“Macarthur FC has further advised that the proposal could generate an estimated $200 million in economic impact and deliver a “ten-times return on capital”.
“These figures have not been independently assessed and are understood to reflect broader economic impacts, such as local spending and employment, rather than direct revenues derived from stadium operations,’’ the report said.
In the meantime, Macarthur FC need somewhere to play their A-League and other games for two seasons, 2027-28 and 2028-29.
The reason being their current home ground, Campbelltown Stadium (below), will be closed to allow from October 2027 to the end of 2028 for a major upgrade of close to $70 million.
Currently the squad train at Fairfield Showground, which will be one option as an alternative.
But the Bulls definitely see their long term future in Camden, having started work on a centre of excellence at Cawdor this year.
Ironically, the improvements planned for Campbelltown Stadium, which include a sport centre of excellence, new grandstand at the northern end and more corporate seating may tempt the Bulls to stay in Campbelltown for a while longer.
Time will tell.
