FAQs
Why do we need a Community and Justice Precinct?
While there are some local and district courts in Campbelltown, the people of South West Sydney currently travel to Parramatta or Sydney CBD to access many justice services. Building additional state and federal courts in the region would reduce the cost, time and associated stress this can cause to families involved in the justice process.
Justice is about people. Co-locating with complimentary community civic services and effective dispute and justice resolution services will improve access to justice for everyone in Campbelltown and the Western Parkland City.
The potential for a city library, university campus, community facilities, professional services, eateries and other commercial venues are being explored as part of the master planning process to stimulate activity across the site and the broader city centre, realising the intention of the Campbelltown City Centres Master Plan (LINK) to revitalise the CBD.
Who is involved?
All three levels of government are collaborating on the proposal, with the Australian Government evaluating the opportunity to have a Commonwealth presence and the State Government assessing the suitability for expanded NSW Courts. Council is considering its options for civic and community facilities, commercial office space and educational campuses.
The project is being supported by the Western Parkland City Authority and facilitated by the Western Sydney City Deal.
What planning has been done?
A strategic business case was committed to by the Australian and State governments and Council in October 2020 and completed in May 2021. The strategic business case showed this concept could potentially realise the outcomes needed for the communities of Western Sydney.
Delivering this precinct is also identified in the Reimagining Campbelltown City Centre Master Plan (2020) to create a bustling, vibrant CBD, stimulating our economy and creating more opportunities.
Where would it be located?
The proposed precinct would be at the current Campbelltown Court House nd Campbelltown Civic Centre sites that is bound by Queen Street, Hurley Street, Short Street, Patrick Street and Broughton Street. This location is opposite Campbelltown Station and adjacent to emergency and police services.
What Courts will be there?
The site already accommodates Local and District courts and a Children’s Court. The NSW Government and Australian Government are exploring opportunities for additional courts as part of this master planning process, including the need for additional Local, District and Children’s Courts, and a NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on this site, while the Australian Government is investigating if there is a requirement for any additional federal courts as well as other justice and support services.
What community services will be there?
The precinct has the potential to accommodate a range of community and legal support services that are being explored by Council and the NSW Government.
Under consideration is a city library, Council administrative facilities and professional justice, mental health, housing and children’s support services.
What will happen to the buildings that are there now?
The original Campbelltown Courthouse on Queen Street is heritage listed and will be retained and preserved as part of the project. The optimal configuration of the site is being considered as part of the master planning process. This will determine the best locations for more courts, city library, Council administration and community facilities.
If this project was to proceed, would my rates increase?
The construction of community facilities would need to be costed and funding sources identified as part of Council’s evaluation of the project. It is typical that a project of this nature would attract funding through multiple sources, such as government grants, developer contributions (Section 7.11 Contributions), commercial investment and Council funding.
Where will I be able to park?
The provision of parking will be done as part of the master planning process and is not yet decided. The draft master plan will be shared with the community when it’s complete late this year. At this time, we will invite the community to provide feedback which will be taken into consideration in the final master plan.
When will it be open?
The project is currently in the concept phase and plans are still being finalised. When the master plan is complete, each level of government will conduct its own financial analysis and decide whether to consider taking it to the next phase of design. An indicative completion date will be determined at that stage.
Are there plans to build a jail in the precinct?
A jail is not being explored as part of the precinct.
Will there be commercial facilities onsite?
The precinct has potential to accommodate commercial spaces for dining, offices, retail outlets and venues.
Will Campbelltown City Library be in the precinct?
A new city library is being explored as part of the precinct and will be included in the master plan.
Who is funding this project?
The Australian, state and local governments have jointly funded the Strategic Business Case that was completed in May 2021 and have also equally funded this current master planning phase.
What will happen to the old Campbelltown Courthouse?
The Campbelltown Courthouse is heritage listed and will be preserved in its current location.
Will the Campbelltown Police Station be incorporated into the site?
The Campbelltown Police Station is directly beside the precinct and would therefore have direct access to the site.
What decisions have been made?
Right now, no final decision has been made. In May 2018, Council resolved to pursue additional courts be built in Campbelltown and since then, has been involved in funding the planning to finalise a business case. Any binding commitment would be presented to Council for its consideration, which could happen in 2022.
Why is funding going towards this project?
For the rapidly growing communities in South West Sydney, accessing court often requires travel into Sydney CBD or Parramatta. It is recognised by all levels of government that there is a need to improve access to justice for everyone in the Western Parkland City and that building additional courts could provide that critical need.
If it were to go ahead, this project would also stimulate the post-COVID economy and generate high-order professional jobs and lifelong learning opportunities for the long term.
How much money has been spent so far on the project?
In October 2020, the three levels of government jointly funded a strategic business case to the value of $1 million. In November 2021, the same government project partners contributed equally to the current $1.2 million master planning phase to develop the final business case and evaluate the total cost of the project.
If it goes ahead, when would construction start?
There are no commitments from any of the Government partners in this project to start works at this stage. This information will be updated as soon as any decisions are made.
Is environmental sustainability being considered in the design of the site?
Each of the government partners are conscious of high building quality facilities based on best practice design and environmental sustainability principles and would explore opportunities to extend these if the project proceeds.
If it goes ahead, what impact would it have on the local traffic conditions?
Access to the site by both public and private transport is a key consideration in designing the master plan and achieving the best possible outcome for the precinct and the surrounding community.
When will the master plan be complete?
We anticipate the draft master plan will be finalised in 2023
What happens once the master plan is done?
The master plan will provide the various levels of government with the detail of information they need to make a formal decision about whether to proceed with the project.
Have you consulted with the community?
Yes. Community aspirations for the precinct were sought from 6-20 June 2022 to inform the design of the master plan.
Communities were engaged using a variety of different platforms including an online survey face to face and via a media campaign. A total of 542 surveys were completed with 1,700 unique visitors to the website. Detailed information about the consultation can be found by clicking here.
Who is leading the design of the master plan?
The development of the precinct master plan is being led by the Western Parkland City Authority with support from Council and the Australian and NSW Governments, as part of the Western Sydney City Deal.