The community of south-western Sydney is one step closer to having the justice facilities they need, with a $1.2 million commitment to fund the concept design stage of a Community and Justice Precinct in Campbelltown.

The Federal and State Government and Campbelltown City Council, will provide the funding for the next phase of planning for the justice precinct under the Western Sydney City Deal. The concept design stage will involve urban and landscape design, technical studies, open place strategy and environmental effects.

President of the Law Society, Juliana Warner, said this latest development could not come soon enough for Australia's fastest-growing region.

The Law Society of NSW has long advocated for improved court services in the region, launching a major community-backed campaign for a South Western Sydney Justice Precinct in 2019.

“Current court facilities in the region are outdated, under-resourced, unsafe and failing to meet basic community needs,” Ms Warner said.

“The pandemic has only exacerbated the current backlogs in criminal and civil cases in south-western Sydney.

“And the demand for a multi-purpose precinct in the region is only going to become more urgent as the population in Sydney’s south-west grows.

“By the time the Western Sydney International Nancy Bird-Walton Airport at Badgerys Creek is open in 2026, the population south of the airport is expected to have grown to nearly 900,000 and by 2036, it is expected to reach 1.1 million people.”

Today's funding announcement comes off the back of a $1 million strategic business case to investigate the potential development of a Community and Justice Precinct, funded by the Federal Government, the NSW Government and Campbelltown City Council, which was completed earlier this year.

“The Law Society encourages all levels of government to continue to work with key stakeholders and community groups to ensure access to justice for the residents of south-western Sydney,” Ms Warner said.