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 Mayor George Greiss visiting the Campbelltown Billabong Parklands construction site and offering a detailed, on-the-ground update as key elements begin to take visible form. Greiss describes the project as one of the most controversial in decades, but suggests the scale and design are becoming clearer now that the pools and surrounding parklands are taking shape. A key takeaway from the inspection is that the project is far larger than it appears from the street, and the site layout is now readable in a way that earlier construction stages did not allow.
The piece also highlights Greiss’ focus on the Billabong operating as more than a summer swim facility. He notes the inclusion of shaded areas, parklands, playgrounds, and design features such as a functional bridge incorporating Aboriginal art, intended to make the space engaging year-round. The article addresses common concerns like parking and crowd management, with Greiss acknowledging that early operation will require testing and adjustment. Overall, it presents the Billabong as a major civic asset nearing delivery, with the mayor positioning it as an important long-term facility for Campbelltown.
Read more → Controversial Billabong Parklands starting to take shape