Campsie town centre: Council proposal would dramatically reshape suburb

Introducing 20-storey buildings and drastically increasing the riverside suburb’s density, it would add more than 6,000 new homes. See why one councillor called it a ‘dog’s breakfast’.

A grand vision to transform Campsie, featuring more than 6000 new homes, 20-storey buildings, and promote the area as a night-life hub, has been unveiled by Canterbury-Bankstown Council.

A planning proposal is currently before the state government to revamp the southwest Sydney suburb, including plans to boost maximum height limits to 67m in parts of the town centre near Campsie train station.

A change in planning controls would pave the way for a mix of high-density buildings, with the majority standing up to 30m or eight storeys.

Under the proposal, developers would need to ensure three per cent of residential projects are set aside for affordable housing. However, buildings which offer ground floor commercial space would be exempt from the requirement.

The goal of the masterplan would be to generate more business space, with an aim of creating 2700 jobs by 2036.

This map shows the proposed building heights allowed in Campsie under the town centre proposal of August 2022. The numbers correspond to building storey limits, while the uncoloured sections will be unchanged. Picture: Canterbury-Bankstown Council

Campsie masterplan proposes buildings up to 67m in height, or 20 storeys. The circled section of the map shows where the council believes those buildings are practical, while taller buildings in the orange coloured sections may affect solar access. Picture: Canterbury-Bankstown Council

Councillor Khodr Saleh acknowledged the mixed reactions from the community, but said residents have for years called for forward thinking, and a strategic vision for the suburb.

“Campsie Town Centre has been in need of rejuvenation and hopefully we can achieve this without the introduction of overdevelopment that would destroy the town centre’s amenity and increase congestion in the area,” Clr Saleh said.

“We know they don’t want ad hoc development and tall buildings but rather investment that will deliver key civic, cultural, recreation, retail and local employment.”

In an effort to invigorate the precinct, late-night trading hours would be automatically granted for markets, restaurants, cafes and take away food spots in heart of Campsie as part of the plans.

Venues would be able to operate up to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and to 11pm the remainder of the week as well as public holidays.

An artist's impression of the new Campsie riverfront, as Canterbury-Bankstown council plans to reshape Campsie around the Cooks River.

Canterbury MP Sophie Cotsis said the needs of Campsie residents weren’t being met and called for funding for Canterbury Hospital before the population of the area rises.

“My position is that there should be a moratorium until the infrastructure catches up,” she said. “There needs to be a pause. We need the funding for the hospital and roads. There are a number of developments happening around the station, but the infrastructure is the key.”

When asked if the Labor Party would be guaranteeing funding for the hospital if it was to win the next election, Ms Cotsis said the party would release its policy in due course.

Clr Saleh said the new town centre would attract investment to Campsie, given its proximity to the CBD, and he would be lobbying the NSW Government for more investment in state infrastructure, including Canterbury Hospital, local schools, roads and transport.

Canterbury-Bankstown councillor Barbara Coorey called the plans a “dog’s breakfast” and vowed to fight them tooth and nail.

“It’s armageddon,” Ms Coorey said. “The previous council rezoned the western part of Campsie to high density and this council is now rezoning the eastern part to high density and beyond. This has never happened in any other part of the world.

“We will defend Campsie to the end.”