At a Glance

• Longstanding community requests reflect consistent infrastructure gaps

• Accessibility, transport and local services remain pressing priorities

• Housing growth must align with jobs, health and public space

• Equity requires Western Sydney to receive its fair share

A Christmas Tradition and a Serious Undertone

For many years, the Member for Macquarie Fields has written to Santa Claus in late November, setting out a thoughtful list of gifts for our community. It has been a tradition grounded in humour, but also in truth.

This year, as the author of those letters joins Santa’s team of helpers, I have taken up the pen. Traditions matter, particularly when they carry a deeper message about community expectations and perceived neglect.

Mr Chanthivong began this custom because many in our community felt overlooked by the NSW Government. While governments change, the underlying aspirations of our residents remain consistent. The items on these lists are not extravagant. They are practical. They are about fairness.

“All we want for Christmas is our FAIR SHARE!”

Accessibility and Dignity

One of the earliest requests was for a lift at Macquarie Fields Station. At first glance, this may appear modest. In truth, it speaks to something much larger.

Accessibility is not a luxury. It is an expression of dignity. When a station lacks lift access, people with mobility impairments, older residents, parents with prams, and those recovering from injury face barriers that others do not. Universal design should not be an afterthought.

The Government has committed substantial funds to improve station accessibility across the network. I am hopeful that Macquarie Fields will soon see the benefit of that commitment. Equity in public infrastructure is foundational to social and economic participation.

Local Services and Everyday Equity

Repeated calls for a local Service NSW Centre, fairer train timetables, relief from toll extensions, and expanded local services reflect the daily realities of a growing community.

A Service NSW Centre is more than a shopfront. It is a gateway to government. For elderly residents, people with disabilities, and those without reliable internet access, physical access to services is essential. Digital systems cannot fully replace face to face assistance.

When services are centralised away from where people live, the burden of travel falls most heavily on those least able to bear it. Locating services near major public transport hubs is not simply convenient. It is equitable.

Similarly, transport timetables and toll settings shape household budgets. When commutes are long and costly, families feel the pressure directly. Fairness in connectivity is inseparable from fairness in opportunity.

Health and Community Stability

Health infrastructure remains a central concern. The withdrawal of funding for the Glenfield Integrated Health Hub has caused understandable disappointment, particularly when our existing hospital operates at full capacity.

I acknowledge the significant health allocations made in the broader budget. However, from a Campbelltown perspective, we have yet to see corresponding investment. Rapid population growth without parallel expansion in health services places strain not only on facilities but on community confidence.

Health infrastructure is not merely a capital item. It is a statement about the value placed on a region’s wellbeing.

Employment, Manufacturing and Skills

Requests to boost local manufacturing, invest in domestic production, and expand vocational education and training align closely with the principles of resilient cities.

Communities that rely heavily on outbound commuting are vulnerable to economic shocks. Expanding local employment opportunities strengthens household stability and reduces transport pressures. Investment in TAFE and skills development enables residents to participate meaningfully in emerging industries.

I have previously written to the Premier proposing that Campbelltown would be an ideal location for a TAFE Domestic Manufacturing Centre of Excellence. Such an initiative would not only build skills but anchor economic activity within our region.

Housing with Balance

Over the years, “Stop the Squeeze” appeared on Santa’s list. I have crossed it off.

Campbelltown has never been defined by resistance to growth. Our community has embraced both internal and external migration. Diversity has shaped our identity.

However, supporting housing supply does not mean ignoring infrastructure capacity. As I have noted elsewhere, density without adequate transport, public space, and employment risks undermining community cohesion.

Overcoming NIMBY sentiment must not become a substitute for genuine consultation or for delivering the infrastructure that successful growth requires. Housing policy, transport investment, and job creation must move together.

Regional Scale Priorities

Our broader infrastructure agenda remains clear. We seek commitment to transport connectivity that matches our growth. We seek renewed court infrastructure in our Community and Justice Precinct. We seek expansion of Campbelltown Sports Stadium to drive economic and sporting opportunity. We seek Stage 3 expansion of Campbelltown Hospital.

These priorities were endorsed formally by Council and reflect long term strategic planning. They are not seasonal requests. They are foundational to the future of our city.

Reflection

In reflecting on this annual letter to Santa, I am reminded that humour often carries serious truth. The consistency of these requests over the years reveals something important. Our community’s aspirations are stable. They centre on fairness, accessibility, jobs, health, and opportunity.

Campbelltown is willing to do its part in addressing the state’s housing and economic challenges. We stand ready to work with the NSW Government in partnership. But partnership requires reciprocity.

This Christmas, as in years past, our message remains measured and clear. Growth must be matched by investment. Contribution must be matched by return. And above all, Western Sydney deserves its fair share.

Read the original Mayoral Minute here: 25. Letter to Santa