Rural and urban life
Camden has a population of approximately 61,000 people and is situated 60 kilometers south west of Sydney. Our Local Government Area (LGA) covers 200km2.
Camden is rich in heritage and natural charm and offers a unique blend of rural and urban living. We truly have the best of both worlds. Within an hour’s travel from Sydney, Camden boasts a range of fine dining, wineries, historic churches and homesteads, hot air ballooning, gliding at Camden airport, produce markets, golf courses, equine facilities, farms, picturesque parks and gardens.
Camden is home to some of Australia’s finest historic properties. The home farm of John and Elizabeth Macarthur, Belgenny Farm, dates back to 1805 and has the oldest surviving collection of farm buildings in Australia. The Macarthurs, famous for establishing the wool, wheat and wine industries in Australia, still have descendants living in the family residence, Camden Park House.
The Bicentennial Equestrian Park is one of council’s best assets and is an 80-hectare site located just off the Camden main street. It draws visitors from far and wide and hosts equestrian and non-equestrian events, competitions and carnivals. Camden is also home to the Australian Botanic Garden that comprises of 416 hectares, and is the only botanic garden in Australia to have a mountain biking trail.
Camden’s most loved event would be the Camden Show, which has been running annually for 127 years. It recently won the gold medal for the People’s Choice Award at the NSW Tourism Awards.
A growing population
Percentage-wise, Camden is the fastest growing LGA in NSW. Currently, our population is increasing by 5% annually. One of the biggest challenges Camden faces is ensuring the provision of infrastructure keeps up with growth. By 2031, our population will reach 150,000 people. This is why, over the last 12 months, I have made it a priority to meet with the Premier and State Ministers, to ensure Camden is at the forefront of their minds and that we receive the infrastructure and funding required to build quality communities. In January I hosted the Local Government Minister, Don Page, on a tour of the Camden LGA and to see the site of our soon-to-be-built $40 million administration center. This is the largest project council has ever undertaken.
Sport and recreation facilities are a key priority for the council. With so many new houses being built in our area, and lots of younger families with mortgages moving in, it’s important we provide facilities where they can relax and play in their leisure time. In January I met with the Sporting Minister, Gabrielle Upton, to bring to her attention some of the large regional sporting facilities we are proposing to build. It’s vital to develop strong relationships, especially with the State Government, as council simply cannot afford to fund major regional facilities on its own.
Actively involved
I have been on Council for five and a half years and have been Mayor for 16 months. I ran for council because I love where I live and wanted to get involved in the decisions being made for my community. I have a Bachelor of Economics & Finance and worked in Sydney for major banks in a variety of roles such as an investment accountant, business analyst and strategic planning manager. I recently completed a Masters degree and now own a local small business with my husband in the occupational health industry.
It’s wonderful to be able to help someone, however I’ve also learnt to accept that I can’t make everyone happy or be everyone’s friend. Honesty and empathy are the most important qualities of a good councillor. As Mayor, I don’t believe my role is to simply be a figurehead who “rubber stamps” anything placed in front of me. My role is to be actively involved, question and critically analyse what comes before me to ensure it is the best outcome for the community. Of particular annoyance to me is when developers try to move the goal posts and make changes retrospectively.
