Canterbury-Bankstown: Campsie Cultural Hub proceeds to concept planning

A “once-in-a-generation” $20m community hub is set to transform a southwest Sydney suburb into a vibrant arts and culture precinct. See the plans.

Artist impression of the proposed cultural hub in Campsie.

A “once-in-a-generation” $20m community hub is set to transform a southwest Sydney suburb into a vibrant arts and culture precinct has sparked concerns the history and identity of the area could be lost.

Canterbury-Bankstown Council voted to proceed with concept planning for the new Campsie Cultural Hub on Beamish St, which has been touted as the “focal point” with a new 3,000 sqm library and combined 1,400 sqm cultural and music space.

The designs, which are set to include a civic plaza alongside commercial spaces and improvements to the Orion theatre, would be the “first stage” in transforming Campsie into a “civic and cultural nucleus for inner Sydney”.

The plans would see the 60-year-old Canterbury Administration building, which includes the former Canterbury council chambers and library, be demolished to make way for the facility.

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

Independent councillor Barbara Coorey said in the recent council meeting “over my dead body would that chamber be demolished” as council “did not know the history” of the site.

“The whole building represents our history … that chamber is untouchable,” she said.

The decision comes after council planners said the building failed to meet “current building code and accessibility standards” and needed $17m worth of maintenance works which still wouldn’t improve the function or accessibility of the site.

Labor councillor Karl Asfour argued the plans were a “once in a generation opportunity” and Campsie residents deserved functioning and better facilities for their area.

“If we demolish (the Canterbury Administration building) we’re going to build a bigger, brighter, better building for them, which is what the people of Campsie deserve,” he said.

Artist impression of the proposed cultural hub in Campsie.

Labor councillor Linda Downey said council officers were “not devising plans to hurt Canterbury” and it was the “responsibility of this current council” to provide for their community.

“The money has come from the previous state government and we are fortunate enough to put the plans into place with that money,” she said.

The project will have $10m funded through the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program – formerly known as WestInvest – and the remainder will be covered by council.

The plans for the cultural hub comes after Canterbury-Bankstown council revealed their

Artist impression of the proposed revitalised Campsie Town Centre.

Campsie masterplan featuring more than 6000 new homes, 20-storey buildings, and promote the area as a night-life hub.

A planning proposal is currently before the state government to revamp the south west 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, with the goal of the masterplan to generate more business space, with an aim of creating 2700 jobs by 2036.