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 follow-up article captures the community moment — and the surprising level of attention — around Mayor George Greiss cutting his ponytail for charity after completing his PhD in Geography and Urban Planning. It explains the fundraising concept simply and effectively: Greiss grew his hair during his doctorate, and once finished, chose to “give it the chop” in a way that directly supported people undergoing cancer treatment through the Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre’s wig library. The piece shows how a personal milestone became a public act of community leadership.
The article also describes how the event was promoted through an online auction, with competitive bidding for the honour of making the first cut. It notes that Wests Group Macarthur placed the winning bid, and former mayor Paul Lake performed the haircut at a function at Campbelltown Arts Centre, attended by civic leaders, councillors, and Greiss’ family. The key outcome is the fundraising result: more than $12,000 raised, tying together public engagement, local partnerships, and practical community benefit.
Read more → Kindest cut of all: Mayor’s ponytail gets the chop for charity