The suburb was originally known as Estelville, named for local politician John Estell, and was first subdivided in 1905. By 1998, the land was owned by the Lake Macquarie City Council, Coal and Allied, BHP Collieries, the Hunter Water Corporation and a few private owners.[2] 140 hectares (346 acres) of the suburb was rezoned as a mixed-use greenfields site as part of the council's Lifestyle 2020 planning strategy early in 1998, and by September, a proposed A$300 million development featuring 1,700 homes, a primary and high school, and a shopping centre with a supermarket, tavern, specialty shops and a commercial area had been announced by development consortium Northlakes Pty Ltd, who forecast the development would be complete within 10–15 years.[3] The council and developers wanted to rename the suburb Cameron Park because of a nearby speedway of that name, which was itself named after Ian Cameron, one of the founders of speedway racing in Australia.[2] A poll of residents in 2000 showed a majority wanted the name changed, with only 1.4% favouring retention of Estelville. Other names considered included Oakwood, as well as "Pambulong", from a clan of the AwabakalIndigenous Australians living nearby whose name was suggested by Tyneside Property Management who were developing an industrial technology park in another part of the suburb.[4]
Approval was given in August 2005 to build a $6.2-million shopping centre, including a Woolworths supermarket and a Harrigan's Irish pub.[6] Construction finally commenced in January 2016 but the promised schools have not been built (as at July 2023).
Newcastle Kart Raceway
In Cameron Park, there is a go-kart circuit, in close proximity to the Sydney-Newcastle freeway. The circuit hosts many major national karting events, including the Australian CIK Stars of Karting series and the NSW State Titles.
^ ab"Estelville's identity up for debate". Newcastle Herald. 5 August 1998. p. 20.
^"$300m Homes Deal". Newcastle Herald. 5 September 1998. p. 1.
^Croxton, Sally (15 May 2000). "Cameron Park wins by a name". Newcastle Herald. p. 6. * Scanlon, Mike (14 October 2000). "Council to rename old suburb". Newcastle Herald. p. 24.
