State Labor candidate calls for aerotropolis rethink

CAMDEN state Labor candidate Sally Quinnell has called for an urgent rethink of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, fearing the needs of Camden residents are being neglected.

• Camden Council criticise draft masterplan for new community
• Residents await fate of proposed Mt Annan development

CAMDEN state Labor candidate Sally Quinnell has called for an urgent rethink of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, fearing the needs of Camden residents are being neglected.

The 11,200ha Western Sydney Aerotropolis will border the Camden local government area, housing a 24-hour global city and international airport, delivering about 200,000 jobs.

Camden state Labor candidate Sally Quinnell has urged a rethink of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

Mrs Quinnell said she believed the NSW Government only values Camden as an area for residential overdevelopment.

“We have planners jumping on SimCity at the moment and designing how neighbouring areas will connect to the International Airport but unfortunately they forgot to buy the Camden expansion pack,” she said.

“This government seems happy for Camden residents to receive the impacts of the airport, but none of the benefits.”

The aerotropolis is proposed to deliver world class education facilities.

About 200,000 jobs are expected to be created in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

The state Labor candidate, who has previously has raised concerns that the Camden community is suffering from “growth fatigue”, said the area urgently required more public transport infrastructure.

“I support the Western Sydney Airport and Aerotropolis only if our kids can graduate from our wonderful local schools and can jump on a rapid bus or train to well paying, highly skilled jobs, or higher educational facilities, just up the road,” she said.

Camden state Labor candidate Sally Quinnell.

“If the plan is for families to be stuck in road congestion on Camden Valley Way or Narellan Rd, then forget it. That is no better than what we already have.

“We need a transport plan which provides Camden with well thought out bus and rail services, so our local families can access the new jobs, health services and educational and cultural facilities that this Aerotropolis has the opportunity to provide.

“We don’t need an M9 Orbital destroying the very fabric of Camden’s rural and environmental heritage.”

Campbelltown Labor Mayor George Brticevic previously told the Chronicle the Western Sydney Aerotropolis could provide positive flow-on benefits for Campbelltown, such as the area potentially becoming a health leader in Western Sydney.

In a submission to Department of Planning and Environment, Camden Council advocated for world-class health and education facilities in the Camden LGA.

The Planning Department is considering submissions.