Reimagining Campbelltown – a very expensive visionary master plan to guide the transformation of the town centre into a hustling, bustling urban hub – may yet serve its purpose.
After gathering dust since it was adopted by Campbelltown Council during the pandemic period, it has now been recalled to service as part of the national drive to boost housing.
Plans by council to turn the vision of the Reimagining Campbelltown document into planning law have received funding under the Australian Government’s housing support program.
According to Campbelltown Council, the $2.62 million in funding will enable development of the City Centre Planning Proposal “to ensure the statutory framework aligns with the transformative vision and strategic direction set in the Reimagining Campbelltown City Centre Master Plan.
“This will provide development confidence and enable council to revise development standards including land use, density and building height.
“The City Centre Planning Proposal project scope is focused on reviewing and amending our statutory framework to align with the vision and strategic direction set out in the Master Plan.
“The outcomes of this project will embed the envisioned place, investment and community outcomes into a comprehensive package of design, planning and delivery mechanisms to shape future decisions and catalyse growth.’’
In other words, once the Reimagining Campbelltown vision is part of the planning process it will help accelerate approvals, including for housing in the town centre.
Reimagining Campbelltown City Centre Master Plan was one of three local projects to receive funding.
Liverpool City Council will receive $2.09 million for the Austral and Leppington North infrastructure needs assessment, as well as $750,000 for local infrastructure planning to facilitate infill housing supply.
The Housing Support Program is one of a range of measures designed to help achieve the ambitious national target of building 1.2 million new, well-located homes over the next five years.
Minister for infrastructure, transport, regional development and local government Catherine King says the program is helping to turbocharge infrastructure planning to enable the delivery of more homes, more quickly.
Member for Werriwa, Ms Anne Stanley, welcomed the funding for local planning projects.
“The Albanese Government is providing the necessary support to local councils to properly plan our communities,’’ she said.
“I look forward to seeing our local councils use this funding to better plan for the future growth within our community.”
