Macarthur tourism set to boom

The booming Macarthur region is shaping up as one of the State’s leading tourist destinations with plans for a Moore Park-style entertainment precinct, more hotels, and a beach and lagoon all on the doorstep of the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek.

A beach in Campbelltown could form part of a big future for local tourism.

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The booming Macarthur region is shaping up as one of the State’s leading tourist destinations with plans for a Moore Park-style entertainment precinct, more hotels, and a beach and lagoon all on the doorstep of the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek.

Business leaders say the region will be a tourism hub for the south west, with plans for the Leumeah Entertainment Quarter expected to lead the area’s visitor revival.

With a regional population of more than 500,000 within 15 years, and the influx of tourists from the airport, the Macarthur area is well positioned for a tourism boom.

Plans for the entertainment quarter, which Campbelltown Council and Wests Leagues Club unveiled in 2015, include a new 25,000-seat regional sporting and entertainment complex, a 5000-seat convention centre, a theatre and other attractions close to Leumeah Station.

Speaking to the Macarthur Chronicle about the potential for a tourism boom in the Macarthur region, Sydney Business Chamber Western Sydney director David Borger identified the redevelopment of Campbelltown Stadium and establishment of the Leumeah entertainment precinct as a key cog in making Campbelltown a tourism hub.

Sydney Business Chamber Western Sydney Director David Borger. Picture: David Swift

“We need to work on a major entertainment centre in the Campbelltown area,” he said.

“What we need is a place in southwest Sydney for international acts to perform.

“It would bring people to the area and also ensure local people are coming to a local destination.’’

The Leumeah precinct has been identified as part of the Greater Macarthur Priority Growth Area strategy by the NSW Planning and Environment Department as a major destination.

The strategy identifies the precinct as a ‘‘regionally significant sporting, recreation and entertainment precinct for south west Sydney”.

A joint Camden and Campbelltown Council report, the Macarthur Destination Management Plan, identified issues with supporting infrastructure and the lack of a large entertainment venue as impediments to tourism growth.

Mr Borger said working with the private sector would be an important step in building tourism. “We need to think big and work out how the private sector can get involved,” he said.

Macarthur Chronicle readers have previously favoured the establishment of a fun/water park and or zoo.