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 focuses on Mayor George Greiss’ push to strengthen community participation in council decision-making through a structured program of public forums and engagement activities. It presents the March 14 forum as the first step in a broader campaign to rebuild trust, transparency, and genuine civic involvement — positioning it as a significant shift after a period described as lacking accountability. The piece highlights Greiss’ view that planning and governance must be guided not only by data and evidence, but by listening to how people experience their city and what they want for its future.
The article includes detailed quotes outlining Greiss’ engagement philosophy, including the use of a wide spectrum of methods such as town halls, workshops, surveys, deliberative panels, and citizens’ juries. It also captures his effort to lead beyond party politics, noting his correction that he is “the mayor of Campbelltown, not the Liberal mayor.” Overall, the article frames Greiss’ approach as a deliberate shift toward shared decision-making — acknowledging the risks of louder voices dominating, but arguing that authentic engagement is essential to building better outcomes and long-term community confidence.
Read more → Campbelltown poised to bring back real grassroots democracy