When I stepped back from Council, I did so with clarity and optimism — not just about where our cities were headed, but about the role planning could play in shaping our future. For over two decades, I’ve worked at the intersection of planning, politics, and community, as a mayor, consultant, and researcher. I’ve seen the power of good planning to create liveable, inclusive, future-ready places. I’ve also seen how easily it can be derailed by short-term thinking — and how costly that can be for clients, communities, and councils alike. Greiss Planning exists to bring clarity, rigour, and steady leadership to the approvals process, so good projects can move forward with confidence.
Dr George Greiss
George works with architects, builders, developers, project managers, remedial engineers and strata managers on planning approvals, development applications, modifications, planning reports and complex council processes across NSW — drawing on experience from both sides of the assessment table: as an applicant's adviser, and as someone who has sat on the committees and panels that make the decisions.
George brings together practical planning consultancy, local government leadership and urban research to help clients understand what is possible, what risks need to be managed and how to move through the planning system with clarity.
Qualifications and memberships
Formal training across planning, property development and business.
PhD in Social Science (urban planning), Western Sydney University, 2022.
University of Technology Sydney, 2018.
Master of Management, Charles Sturt University, 2011. Bachelor of Business (Finance), University of Technology Sydney, 2008.
Full Member, Planning Institute of Australia.
Track record
Sixteen consecutive years (2008–2024) in Campbelltown civic and regional planning roles — backed by a doctorate in social science (urban planning), peer-reviewed research, and civic leadership as Mayor of Campbelltown.
Council-nominated member of the regional planning panel for the Campbelltown area, most recently the Sydney Western City Planning Panel, determining regionally significant development — major private and government projects, schools in growth areas, high-density housing and urban release areas.
Eight years on Campbelltown City Council's Planning and Environment Committee from 2008, assessing and determining development applications, rezoning proposals and strategic planning matters — including four years as Chairperson (2012–2016) — and five years as Chair of the Traffic Committee.
Called on to provide expert reports and testimony in planning disputes, as well as advice on changes needed to approvals already granted and resolving issues that arise after a project has been approved.
A PhD in social science (urban planning) from Western Sydney University, where he is an Adjunct Associate Professor. His peer-reviewed research on four decades of NSW planning reform is published in Australian Planner, the journal of the Planning Institute of Australia.
Nearly three years as Mayor of Campbelltown (2022–2024), leading the elected council of an organisation with around 1,000 staff and an annual budget of more than $250 million, and eight years on Campbelltown's Corporate Governance Committee.
Non-executive director of Local Government NSW (2017–2023), the peak body representing NSW councils, serving on its Policy Review Committee, Research and Innovation Committee and Members Value Committee.
Practical planning advice
Support across the full planning lifecycle — from early feasibility through to approval, and everything that can come up afterwards — grounded in statutory rigour and evidence.
Early advice on what's possible on a site and what pathway an approval is likely to take, before clients commit further time, cost or design work.
Preparing development applications, Statements of Environmental Effects and council responses, with the aim of putting the strongest possible case in front of the decision-maker.
Section 4.55 modifications, Building Information Certificates, and resolving issues that arise after a project has already been approved.
Spatial and demographic analysis — land use, infrastructure demand, housing supply — to support planning decisions with data, not just judgement.
How this helps clients
Planning decisions are shaped by more than technical controls. They are influenced by site context, policy intent, council processes, community expectations and the quality of the material placed before decision-makers.
Greiss Planning helps clients prepare clear advice, stronger documentation and more informed planning strategies so they can approach the approval process with greater confidence.
Why Greiss Planning
George stepped back from Council in 2024 with clarity and optimism about the role good planning can play in shaping better places.
Greiss Planning reflects the next stage of that work: helping people understand planning systems, make better decisions and deliver projects that respond to policy, place and public purpose.
Good planning is not just compliance. It is careful judgement, clear communication and an understanding of how decisions are made.
Let’s talk about your project
Planning does not have to be confusing. If you are exploring a development, seeking approvals advice or navigating a council process, Greiss Planning can help identify a clear pathway forward.
For media and interview requests, see Media.