Camden Council has welcomed the NSW Government's announcement it will deliver a new primary school at Emerald Hills, following the Council's urgent call for necessary infrastructure investment as part of its advocacy campaign, The Time Is Now.
The new primary school is part of the State Government's $9 billion commitment to school
infrastructure as part of the 2025-26 Budget, to continue the work of rebuilding public education in NSW.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Ashleigh Cagney, said the announcement was a helpful step in the right direction for a community set to boom.
"The NSW Government has committed to having this school open on the first day of school in 2028, for more than 550, and will include modern classrooms, a multipurpose hall, canteen, library and sports field," she said.
"Emerald Hills and its surrounds is part of the South West Growth Area which, as much of our community would be aware, is set for a strong population boost in coming years.
"Fueled by our proximity to Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and Western Sydney Aerotropolis, the economic and demographic change set to come to this area is significant.
"Leppington, for example, currently has a population of approximately 3,600 and it is forecast to grow to more than 53,000 by 2046. And schools in the Camden area are already struggling, with many at capacity and needing upgrades that aren't budgeted for.
"So, while this is indeed fantastic news and definitely a welcome step forward, more is needed. We need our State Government to help support this growth ahead of time. We need to be ready to deliver services and support to our community as it grows, not waiting until our current schools are over capacity.
"It's Council's commitment to our residents, now and in the future, to continue to advocate for much-needed further investment into local schools and education, to meet current community needs and future-proof our fast-growing area."
The Time Is Now is Camden Council's advocacy campaign calling for urgent investment from the State and Federal Governments into hospitals, schools, roads and public transport in the Camden area.
For more information, visit www.camden.nsw.gov.au/advocacy
