There are 31 people jostling for nine places in the council in the September 13 elections. Alicia Bowie asked the lead candidates in each group and those running alone what the new council must work on.
North Ward:
Mike Cottrell lives in Catherine Field and is retired. More jobs were needed in Camden, he said.
"I think there should be more industrial areas [and] we should try to get some bigger companies out this way so people don't have to travel. And maybe lift the height restrictions in Camden so people can build four-storey units and bring older people close to town.''
David Funnell lives in Ellis Lane and owns Funnell's Electrical in Narellan.
"The biggest issue we've got facing us at the moment is keeping an eye on the finances of Camden Council for the next five to six years. And the growth and development has got to be managed in conjunction with the NSW Government to get the best outcome for this district. One of the most important things is creating more employment in this area to stop people having to travel.''
Michael Palmer is the principal solicitor at Palmer Legal and lives in Kirkham. ``The biggest issue facing Camden for the immediate future is that we have an economy that's slowing down but a Sydney metropolitan area that's expanding in Camden. We need to achieve a balance between the need for development and the need to maintain Camden as a beautiful rural area.''
Central Ward:
Fred Anderson is retired and lives in Mount Annan.
"Our greatest need is not manpower, willingness or vision it's money and the need to be able to provide, along with amenities, the ability to mobilise services to help with the social needs of the thousands of people moving into otherwise hitherto open greenfields. We need the injection of funds and it needs to come not just as the ability to be able to raise more on rates because we've got people who are already struggling.'' He said intervention by the State and Federal Governments was needed.
Cindy Cagney lives in Mount Annan. She is a welfare worker and TAFE teacher.
"For the next two years the most imperative thing will be financial sustainability. Knowing that we're going to have growth starting within those two years but our budget is going to be quite restrictive. It's imperative we try to provide services to the quality that people expect and to improve our facilities even though we don't have too much to spend otherwise in two years we'll be further back down the track and we'll have to make up the difference.''
Rob Elliott lives in Mount Annan and is a sales account manager.
"We have to build a great platform for the future. The council is now financially viable but we've got a lot more work to do. We need to improve the job prospects of our people out here and we need to increase youth facilities at Mount Annan Leisure Centre and maybe turn it into a multi-purpose centre. We have to stop the State Government doing cost-shifting onto local councils which will force our rates up over and above what they should be.''
Greg Warren is a logistics manager who lives in Mount Annan.
"We need to start representing the greater community of Camden more strongly. There is a mindset of segregation between the central business district and Mount Annan and Narellan that also exists in Harrington Park and other areas. We can distribute the council's revenue far better. It's time we got our fair share of funds. We need to be sensible, constructive and progressive.''
South Ward:
Eva Campbell lives in Elderslie, helps at her husband's Looking Class fashion store and volunteers.
"The main issue for Camden is retaining its social heritage, and with that there are some major environmental issues as well, against the massive growth
that is being forced on the area by the State Government. Socially the significance is we're getting such huge volumes of new residents to the area. Admittedly a lot of the people who are choosing to come here are seeking a community that has the values that
Camden has always exhibited.'' She said she was concerned about the impact the growth would have on the Nepean River and air quality in the area.
Chris Patterson lives in Kirkham and is the manager of the Merino Tavern.
"Clearly with a population boost from 50,000 to 300,000, we need to ensure that the effect on the current community is as minimal as it possibly can be. With the new communities, we need to ensure the infrastructure is in place before they arrive and we need to ensure the services are of an equal standard to what we have now.''
Pam Browne lives in Narellan. She is the president of the Wilson Richardson Area Residents Group but her team is not running as the residents' group.
She said the biggest challenge was making sure the council was sustainable. ``Our finances are particularly
important because there's going to be that time lag for rates to come in during this enormous growth that we're going to experience. There's going to be a balancing act to make sure the community isn't disadvantaged through services or council activities until that rate income comes in.''
Fred Whiteman lives in Camden and is an operations manager with Picton Power Lines.
"The single biggest issue is financial responsibility and ensuring the council is financially viable for the short-term and the long-term. Fiscal responsibility is ensuring that we don't decrease the standard of services people in Camden have come to expect and we continue to
increase the services that we offer. I think that's a huge challenge, certainly in today's environment.''
Maryann Turner is a registered nurse/midwife who
lives in Elderslie and is currently working as a landscape architect.
"A focused approach to long- and short-term opportunities and challenges is required. Positive outcomes for the community can be easily and inexpensively achieved by extending library opening hours, allowing the local produce market to set up in
the town and advocating that bike paths be extended, connecting schools, town centres and residential areas. Long-term challenges involve maintaining Camden's uniqueness, and ensuring economic viability.''
Cheryl Pagett lives in Currans Hill and is an office manager.
``My biggest issue is that we have a growing population... and I have concerns about the lack of services, lack of transport and the conditions of the roads.
"We have got a hospital in fantastic working order that is really only a sub-hospital. If it was developed properly it would be fully utilised by the community.''
Mrs Pagett said she wanted to protect Camden's country charm while using it to promote the area and attract more visitors.
Send your questions for the candidates to abowie@fairfaxmedia.com.au or leave a comment below.