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
Dr George Greiss is a planning consultant, researcher and former Mayor who advises homeowners, developers, businesses and design teams on planning approvals, development applications, modifications, planning reports and complex council processes across NSW.
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.
Planning, policy and public leadership
For over two decades, George has worked at the intersection of planning, policy and community decision-making across New South Wales.
He brings a rare combination of public sector leadership, consultancy experience and academic insight. George has served as Mayor and Councillor at Campbelltown City Council and as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Local Government NSW, contributing to statewide discussions on planning, governance, infrastructure, housing and local communities.
This experience gives Greiss Planning a practical understanding of how planning controls are interpreted, how councils assess development applications, how risks are weighed and how planning arguments need to be framed.
Practical planning advice
Through Greiss Planning, George supports clients across the full planning lifecycle — from early feasibility and approval strategy through to development applications, Statements of Environmental Effects, section 4.55 modifications, council responses, Building Information Certificates and complex planning matters.
His approach is clear, strategic and grounded in statutory rigour. The aim is to help clients understand the approval pathway, prepare stronger documentation and make informed decisions before committing further time, cost or design work.
Research and teaching
George is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at Western Sydney University, contributing to education and research in housing diversity, urban density, planning reform and the social impacts of policy change.
His doctoral research examined perceptions of higher density and the evolution of the NSW planning system. This research background informs Greiss Planning’s evidence-based approach to planning advice, policy interpretation and urban change.
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
When I stepped back from Council, I did so 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.