Camden Council’s concept design revealed for $14m animal shelter and plant nursery hub

A southwest Sydney council has revealed design for multi-million dollar animal shelter and community nursery. Find the details here.

Concept plan for Camden Animal Shelter, Community Nursery, and Community Education Hub at Smeaton Grange. Picture: Camden Council

Camden Council has revealed plans for a $14 million animal shelter and community nursery, as part of a massive new vision for Smeaton Grange.

Plans, released by council this month, an education hub at the Topham Rd, Smeaton Grange site.

The projects have been funded by the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program.

The proposed animal shelter is forecast to be a purpose-built facility featuring adoption viewing areas, meet and greet spaces, designated exercise yards, enrichment areas, and a walking track.

The shelter will also house a reception area, staff workspaces, public amenities, and a multi-purpose function room designed to host community outreach programs.

Potted plants packed for residents at nursery. Picture: Camden Council

A Camden Council spokesman described the hub as “the first of its kind in the Camden area” and said it aimed to build a “sustainable, accessible and smart design”.

Animal rescue groups and locals embraced the need for the new “no-kill” facility, to reduce the burden on Campbelltown Animal Care Facility.

Camden Animal shelter getting pup approval. Picture: Camden Council

That centre is known to struggle with the number of animals in care and lack of resources resulting in a “high kill rate”.

The community nursery, at the same site, will be run by Camden Council for propagating and growing trees, shrubs, and groundcover for landscaping and restoration projects undertaken by the Council.

“While the nursery will not be accessible to the public on a day-to-day basis, plants will be made available to the community through regular plant giveaways,” a council spokesman said.

Construction for the project is slated to start in mid-2025.

Camden Mayor Ashleigh Cagney said “this designated animal shelter and nursery will be incredible for our area”.

Camden Mayor Ashleigh Cagney, holds high hopes for animal shelter and nursery hub. Picture: Camden Council

“I’m very excited to see work begin,” she said.

“I encourage everyone to check out the concept design on this exciting project.”

The concept design and form to submit any ideas people may have for the development are available on the council’s website or in person at the upcoming Paws in the Park event at Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park on Sunday May 5.