Demand for South West Sydney Justice Precinct soars

According to a recent report, the region, which encompasses the cities of Liverpool and Macarthur, is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country, and it’s expected to raise its population to one million in the next 15 years.  

However, the Alliance considers the area deprived of access to essential legal services, leading residents of Bowral, Camden, or Campbelltown to travel long distances to attend Family Court in Sydney or Parramatta. 

“For too long, South West Sydney has been overlooked for investment in the justice system,” said David Borger, Chair of the South West Sydney Alliance and Executive Director of Business Western Sydney. “A Justice Precinct in Campbelltown, anchored by a Federal Circuit and Family Court, would give local families the access to legal services they’ve gone without for too long, ease the burden on Sydney and Parramatta courts, and inspire a wave of civic and economic renewal.” 

The Alliance calls for both major political parties to commit to a $5 million investment to develop a detailed business case. The project stalled, though it has strong local support from the community and in-principle backing from the NSW Government. It proposes upgrading Campbelltown’s outdated State Courts and establishing a new Federal Circuit and Family Court, similar to the Federal-State Court precincts in Parramatta and Launceston. 

“The South West Sydney Community and Justice Precinct is critical to the revitalisation of Campbelltown City Centre, creating local jobs and activating our city,” said Campbelltown Mayor Darcy Lound. “We have long championed this transformative project. The Precinct will deliver services locally, support economic growth and renew the heart of our city.” 

Jennifer Ball, the President of the Law Society of NSW, also voiced her support for the project. 

“The time for talking about this much-needed Justice Precinct has ended,” Ball said. “South West Sydney’s booming population deserves fair access to justice. No-one who lives in Campbelltown, Liverpool or who will call the Aerotropolis home, should have to travel up to 50 kilometres or more to have their family law matter heard and resolved in the Sydney CBD, Parramatta or even Wollongong. The Law Society of NSW has long campaigned for this Justice Precinct. A properly funded business case will get this proposal moving.”  

The proposed Precinct includes a university law and business campus, office spaces, and housing. 

“This is more than a court — it’s a critical piece of social infrastructure, a catalyst for investment and change, and a long-overdue step toward equity for South West Sydney,” Borger said. 

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring jobs and justice to Campbelltown. The community is ready. What we need now is a major announcement this election — clear Federal leadership and the will to get on with it.”