Town planner who put Campbelltown on the map awarded Heritage Medallion

by Campbelltown City Council
27/04/2012

A visionary architect and town planner, who played an instrumental role in shaping the City of Campbelltown as we know it today, has been named the winner of the 2012 Heritage Medallion.

Mr Bob Meyer’s substantial contribution to Campbelltown was recognised last night at Campbelltown City Council’s Heritage Forum, which is held during Heritage Week to celebrate Australia’s built, natural and cultural heritage.

A strong advocate of Greater Western Sydney, and renowned for promoting the region as an economic powerhouse, Mr Meyer’s long and established career earned him the Sidney Luker Memorial Medal in 2003, which is awarded biennially for contributions to the science and practice of town and regional planning.

Mr Meyer’s planning and development of the early city of Campbelltown is still evident today, with its clearly distinguished urban and non-urban areas, its historic town centre, its complex network of major and smaller town centres, employment lands, open spaces and recreation areas.

Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Anoulack Chanthivong, said Mr Meyer was a most worthy recipient of the biennial Heritage Medallion, having been instrumental in shaping our modern city and preserving its heritage.

“There are few people who have left their stamp on our city in such a significant way, with Mr Meyer’s knowledge, expertise and commitment resulting in the development of Campbelltown as a well-structured, well-resourced and contemporary city,” Cr Chanthivong said.

“His foresight and innovative approach to planning gave birth to a city that has evolved today as the centre of the Macarthur region, with an emphasis on quality lifestyles in a natural environment.

“It is this legacy which will continue to endure as our city expands further, and Mr Meyer’s influence on the structure of Campbelltown and its surrounds will come to be recognised as an equally significant part of our heritage as the historic buildings and places in our region that he has worked tirelessly to promote and preserve,” Cr Chanthivong added.

Many of the legacies of the past, including the identification and establishment of industrial areas along the railway line, and the site for a regional centre and shopping facility (Macarthur Square), can be directly attributed to Mr Meyer. Other significant achievements included the identification and implementation of the new Macarthur railway station, as well as the establishment of the educational precinct including the University of Western Sydney’s Campbelltown campus and South West Sydney Institute of TAFE, Campbelltown.

From 1969 to 1989, Mr Meyer worked for the NSW State Government and was the Director of Planning and Development for the Macarthur Development Board. As a director of policy, Mr Meyer was responsible for implementing the urban development program to ensure the timely, orderly and responsible delivery of urban growth, particularly in south western Sydney. He was also responsible for the 1988 Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney.

In addition, Mr Meyer was instrumental in the preparation and implementation of the Three Cities Structure Plan for the cities of Campbelltown, Camden and Appin.

In 2005, Mr Meyer presented the Sidney Luker Memorial Lecture titled ‘Fifty Years of Sydney’s Planning’, and in 2006, he was made a Life Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia – the official professional association of town planners in the country.

Mr Meyer is currently the Director of Planning with Cox Richardson Architects and Planners in Sydney.

Photo - Mr Bob Meyer (left) with Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Anoulack Chanthivong.

Report Post