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.
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In this opinion piece, Mayor George Greiss argues that Campbelltown is ready to accommodate significant housing growth as Sydney responds to the housing crisis and population pressures — but only if growth is matched with the things that make higher density work: local jobs, public transport, and social and physical infrastructure. He supports the idea of focusing density around rail stations and frames this as a place-based way to grow without sacrificing valued natural areas and suburban character.
The core message is equity and balance: if Campbelltown is expected to take “more than its fair share” of new dwellings, it also needs a fair share of employment and services to avoid becoming a dormitory city. Greiss backs the argument with local workforce and commuting figures, pointing to daily outflows and gaps in public sector jobs and services. He ultimately positions successful density as more than population growth — it must include job density and the facilities that support liveability for current and future residents.
Read more → Bring on high density along Campbelltown rail corridor: mayor