Camden is a quintessential Australian town. The Hawkesbury-Nepean river system provides a clear divide between city and country and surrounding flood plains provide a natural moat against the ravages of urban sprawl which has destroyed the formerly rural aspect of outer metropolitan towns such as Liverpool and Campbelltown. Heritage listed properties fill the gaps left by mother nature.
The heart of the town, Argyle Street, is as pleasant as any other in the country. Historic buildings, interesting shops, gourmet restaurants and street-walk cafes provide a wonderful ambience for both residents and visitors.
Camden is a geographical hub between the world’s most beautiful harbour-side city, the spectacular Blue Mountains National Park, the historic Southern Highlands and the seaside resorts of the South Coast. It is the most desirable address in Australia.
Our civic leaders and town planners are entrusted with the task of ensuring the historic integrity of the area is not violated by unseemly developments.
Recent developments and renovations in Argyle Street have uplifted the shopping experience. The new wine bar at The Exchange is better than similar establishment in the Sydney metropolitan area – because it is in Camden!
Regrettably the two supermarkets that bleed the most money from the town are in the two grottiest buildings. City based executives of the two establishments are obviously more interested in the dollar value of customers than the social value of their clientele.
Any proposal for either of these two corporate monoliths to relocate and build a shopping mall in the vicinity of Argyle Street must be resisted by our civic leaders and town planners. If people are attracted to the common, sterile, impersonal atmosphere of an air-conditioned mall with franchisees being screwed to the max then let them visit nearby regional shopping centres.
The removal of government services from Camden by the State Labor Government has been a cruel and short-sighted act. We no longer have an RTA office. We no longer have a maternity ward at our hospital. Our Ambulance is not allowed to deliver patients to the emergency ward. Our Police Station is set to go. One has to question why the Labor government has abandoned the town and left it vulnerable to developers to fill the void?
Recent revelations on the cosy relationships between Labor mates and developers has led to media speculation that the new strategy for the worst Labor government in the State’s history is based on ‘dollars for decisions’. Let’s hope Camden does not become a victim of this disgraceful trend.
