Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the Camden Council area were the Tharawal and Gundungurra Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from 1805 when John Macarthur was granted 5,000 acres of land for sheep breeding. Population was minimal until the 1840s when land was subdivided. Gradual growth took place in the late 1800s. Significant development did not occur until the 1980s. Rapid population and housing growth occurred from the early 1990s. Most of the growth in the 1990s was in the south-eastern suburbs of Currans Hill, Harrington Park, Mount Annan and Narellan Vale. More recent growth has also been in the southern suburbs of Elderslie and Spring Farm, and new release areas in the north, particularly in the localities of Cobbitty, Gledswood Hills, Gregory Hills and Oran Park. Growth is expected to continue.

Land use

The Camden Council area is a rapidly growing residential area, with rural, industrial and commercial areas. The Council area encompasses a total land area of about 200 square kilometres. Rural land is used largely for agriculture.

Transport

The Camden Council area is served by the Camden Airport.

Major features

• Major features of the Camden Council area include the Nepean River,
• The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan,
• William Howe Regional Park,
• Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park,
• The Camden Town Farm,
• The University of Sydney (Camden Campus),
• Coates Park Farm (The University of Sydney),
• Belgenny Farm,
• The Camden Central Business District,
• Camden Hospital,
• Gledswood Homestead & Winery and several other wineries.

Included areas