News Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Council has $3M to invest in Camden Civic Plaza

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Updated 22 Jul 2026

CAMDEN Council will receive $3M from the NSW Government to deliver the Camden Civic Plaza, as part of a $54M statewide investment in 30 high-performing councils under the Faster Assessments Incentive Program (FAIP).

The project will help meet the needs of one of NSW’s fastest growing communities while creating a vibrant cultural and civic destination in the heart of Camden.

The existing structure at 27 John Street will be demolished to make way for the new civic plaza featuring an outdoor stage, strategically positioned alongside the Civic Centre and Memorial Garden, and close to Camden Library, Camden Museum and Alan Baker Art Gallery.

Together, these attractions will form a connected cultural precinct, providing a welcoming gathering place for markets, festivals, outdoor performances, community celebrations and cultural events, strengthening Camden's reputation as a regional destination for residents and visitors.

Camden Council was one of 35 councils to meet or beat the 115-day assessment benchmark set out in the Minister's Statement of Expectations in FY 2024–25. The councils turned around assessments in an average 89 days in metropolitan areas and 82 days in regional NSW.

Round 1 of the FAIP will deliver grants of between $1 million and $3 million to councils that are delivering faster development assessment timeframes while supporting new homes in their communities. Under Round 1, 30 of 35 nominated projects will receive $54 million statewide investment funding.

Combined with council co-contributions, the funding will deliver more than $106 million in local infrastructure projects to help ensure growing neighbourhoods have the facilities they need as more homes are built.

Eligible councils are now being assessed for Round 2 of the program, with $67 million available for councils that met or exceeded the 105-day benchmark and improved assessment times in FY 2025–26. For more information about the Faster Assessments Incentive Program, visit NSW Planning.

Member for Camden, Sally Quinnell said: "Camden is one of the fastest-growing communities in NSW, and what makes this place special is the strong sense of connection people feel to their local community.

“As more families choose to call Camden home, it's important that we continue creating places where people can come together, celebrate local events and enjoy everything our town centre has to offer. "The new Civic Plaza will strengthen the heart of Camden and provide the community infrastructure needed to support our growing population.

“Projects like this ensure that as new homes are delivered across the region, we're also investing in the public spaces that help turn growing neighbourhoods into thriving communities."

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said: “We are rewarding councils that are cutting assessment times and helping deliver the homes NSW needs, because faster decisions mean people can move into new homes sooner.

“This funding will help Camden Council build the community enabling infrastructure that communities need, delivered alongside new housing, not years after it.”