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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This article reports on Campbelltown Council’s mayoral election, where George Greiss was re-elected Mayor for another term with a clear majority of 10 out of 15 votes, despite a challenge from Labor leader Darcy Lound. While the mayoral outcome was expected, the article notes the meeting became historic for another reason: the election of Cr Masud Khalil as Deputy Mayor — the first person of Bangladeshi heritage to hold the position in Campbelltown. The public gallery’s reaction is described as celebratory, reflecting the significance of the milestone for local representation.
The piece includes supportive comments from across the chamber, including Greiss acknowledging the “history in the making,” and Lound praising Greiss’ performance over the prior 18 months while explaining Labor’s decision to contest the role as part of democratic process. The article also records the leadership transition from outgoing Deputy Mayor Josh Cotter, who congratulated Khalil and emphasised the responsibility of representing all of Campbelltown. Overall, it presents a picture of stable leadership combined with a meaningful step forward in civic diversity and inclusion.
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