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 previews the formal opening of Campbelltown Billabong Parklands and frames the long weekend as a major civic moment — with signage installed across key entry routes into the city and a full program of activities planned across Saturday to Monday. The piece acknowledges the project’s long-running controversy and the way it has divided opinion for years, but offers an on-site walkthrough with Mayor George Greiss and senior staff that describes the facility as an impressive combination of parkland and water recreation. It outlines the core elements — the main lagoon, children’s pool, streams and splash play — and positions the site as a new public destination designed for families and year-round use.
At the same time, the article keeps the political and governance context in view. It notes Greiss inherited the project and chose a “deliver it” approach, including commissioning a KPMG audit in response to criticisms about budget escalation and decision-making history. It also addresses two persistent issues raised by critics: proximity to the existing aquatic centre and concerns about parking. The article reports on practical measures to manage access, including new parking spaces and improved pedestrian connections, alongside a free-ticket booking system for entry after the opening. Overall, it reads as both a launch story and a reality check: celebration and place-making on one hand, and continuing debate about cost, delivery and long-term value on the other.
Read more → Billabong opening part of community celebration