Macarthur region needs infrastructure to cope with population boom

Our track record of coping with population growth in the Macarthur region has been pretty woeful — but it’s not too late to learn from our past mistakes.

A sea of new houses will be built across the Macarthur region.

Our track record of coping with population growth in the Macarthur region has been pretty woeful — but it’s not too late to learn from our past mistakes.

The Macarthur Chronicle’s special report this week shows the Campbelltown and Camden local government areas will have a combined population of more than 500,000 within the next 20 years.

According to .id the population experts, Camden’s population will boom from 88,258 this year to 226,604 in 2036 — a staggering 156.75 per cent increase.

Its biggest boom area is Marylands which is expected to record a 69,755.92 per cent population rise from 27 in 2017 to 19,003 by 2036.

Campbelltown’s population will also continue to rise, although not at Camden’s pace. This year 162,902 people call the Campbelltown LGA home. By 2036, that number will be 273,541 — a 67.92 per cent increase.

The central Campbelltown precinct’s population will go up from 15,324 this year to 33,571 in 2036 on the back of high-rise development.

Rural areas including Varroville, Wedderburn and Mt Gilead will record the biggest boom of 1365.94 per cent from a 2474 population this year to 36,274 in 2036.

Rural Wollondilly shire will not be left behind either. With a population of 49,742 this year, the shire is expected to have well over 100,000 residents when Wilton New Town is completed within the next 20-30 years.

If we are to all live comfortably together, the absolute priority for all levels of government must be infrastructure and much more of it.

With 500,000 people in two LGAs alone, we do not want to be still stuck on Narellan Rd in 2036. We want to be able to get around our community without hitting endless traffic snarls.

This also means the Leppington to Narellan rail link has never been more essential. Build a connection to Campbelltown too.

This is vital infrastructure to get our new and existing residents off the roads to get to work. We also need far more local jobs.

Over the next weeks, the Macarthur Chronicle will look at what’s ahead for our community. Get in touch and tell us what you want in your hometown now and in the future.

Email editor @macarthur chronicle.com.au or follow the Macarthur Chronicle on Facebook

Mandy Perrin is the editor of the Macarthur Chronicle.