Camden Labor candidate concerned of community’s “growth fatigue”

A SKYROCKETING population and splurge of new housing estates has panicked Camden Labor candidate Sally Quinnell, with concerns “growth fatigue” is plaguing a community that is unable to cope.

Oran Park in January, with more than 7,500 homes are planned for Oran Park including new schools, 12 playgrounds, parks recreation areas 18ha of employment land. Picture: Nearmap.com

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A SKYROCKETING population and splurge of new housing estates has panicked Camden Labor candidate Sally Quinnell, with concerns “growth fatigue” is plaguing the community.

Ms Quinnell said the “extreme population trajectory” is overwhelming Camden residents, unable to cope with the rapid transformation.

Oran Park is one of many centres in the region rapidly expanding. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I have been out and about meeting people over the past few months door knocking and at community events and the overwhelming feeling of Camden residents is we have lost control of the growth and development in our much loved area,” she said.

Camden Labor candidate Sally Quinnell.

“We welcome with open arms the new residents coming into our area, with some of the new developments such as Gledswood Hills and Oran Park being beautifully planned and constructed, but we barely get to draw breath before this Liberal state government is announcing another 10,000 homes.”

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The population of Camden LGA is forecast to spiral to 220,000 by 2036, a rise of 150 per cent. The Macarthur region will soon be home to 500,000 people by 2036, trumping the future populations of Sunshine Coast, Northern Territory and Wollongong.

Ms Quinnell said no one in the community is winning from the rapid development.

Bumper-to-bumper traffic on Narellan Rd in 2017, with the 6.8km recently completed.

“With congested roads, little to no public transport, lack of access to health services and our schools overflowing, it’s neither the existing or new residents of Camden who are currently benefitting,” she said.

“We understand that Camden is going to grow and we will play our part, but Sydney’s population growth needs to be sustainable and it needs to be distributed fairly.

“The views of Camden locals deserve to be heard and the clear message to governments and big business is slow down on rampant population growth.”

An aerial view of the completion of the first stage of The Northern Rd, from Narellan to Oran Park.

Camden MP Chris Patterson said significant investment is underway to enable the region to handle the population growth.

“People need places to live,” he said. “Now it is a case of trying to preserve the Camden township as we know it.

“Ms Quinnell can bring this up as an election is nearing but Labor have no intention of stopping the growth in our electorate.

Camden State MP Chris Patterson, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Education Minister Rob Stokes at the site of a new special needs school in Narellan. Picture: Tim Pascoe

“The Liberal government have invested in the South West Rail Link, Camden Valley Way, Northern Rd and Bringelly Rd.

“There have been more schools announced in the Camden electorate than any other. This type of investment will not stop.”