Ashleigh Cagney: Camden’s new mayor Ashleigh Cagney promises to ‘work tirelessly’ for community

An mum-of-four, community advocate and supporter of grassroots sport. After seven years on council, Ashleigh Cagney is now mayor and plans to see Camden become a “prime destination to live, work and visit”.

New Camden mayor Ashleigh Cagney.

A mum of four is ready to lead the rapidly growing hub of Camden with a vision to make the region “a prime destination to live, work and visit”.

With a background in law and a passion for advocacy, Ashleigh Cagney has been a councillor since 2016 and was voted in as the Camden mayor at May’s council meeting

“Being mayor is something you always think about as a councillor, but it’s all about the timing,” she said.

“I felt confident when we were facing a mayoral vote to put myself forward at this time.”

There has been a shift in Camden toward Labor after the state election when Labor’s Sally Quinnell ousted the incumbent Liberal MP Peter Sidgreaves in the Camden electorate.

New Camden mayor Ashleigh Cagney pictured with former mayor and now deputy mayor Therese Fedeli.

The former mayor Therese Fedeli was also a Liberal member, but Ms Cagney said while she was a Labor councillor, party politics should have little influence at a local level.

“At a local government level, we have always striven to keep the party politics side of things out of the equation as much as we can,” Ms Cagney said.

Ashleigh Cagney pictured with her four children on Mother's Day.

“Whether people vote Labor, Liberal or independent – we are there to serve everybody collectively.”

The Camden area is prospering, with the population growing rapidly as some 100 new residents make the area their home every week.

Ms Cagney said the growth needed to be managed responsibly with a focus on sustainable development.

“My greatest passion is to make Camden a prime destination to live, work and visit,” she said.

“I believe we need to respect Camden’s history and natural environments. Similarly, we need to provide services and facilities for our residents that suit their needs and make them proud to bring their family and friends to visit and spend time in our LGA.

“Likewise, we need to always explore opportunities for local employment so people can remain closer to home while supporting their families and limit the burden of travel.”

Mum to nine-year-old twins, a four-year-old, and a two-year-old, Ms Cagney’s afternoons and weekends are filled with sports and community events.

Ashleigh Cagney pictured in 2022 at the opening of the new hospital building.

She has been involved in volunteer organisations such as Camden Rotary and sits proudly as a board member of the Macarthur Football Association and South West Sydney Academy of Sport.

Ms Cagney, who currently lives in Currans Hill, moved to the Camden area after meeting her husband, John, who had grown up in the area.

“[Camden’s residents] commitment to one another is something to rival and is evident in every challenge thrown our way,” she said.

“The people of Camden show great tenacity in times of trouble and equally know how to celebrate all there is to celebrate about this incredible part of the world.

“For however long my tenure as mayor lasts, I can promise one thing: that I will work tirelessly to serve my community that has given so much to me and my family.”