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 draws on a Mayoral Minute where George Greiss reflects candidly on the history and governance of the Campbelltown Billabong Parklands project. He notes that the original 2018 commitment was, in his view, linked to a rushed City Deal resolution — and explains he was not present for that vote. The piece then outlines the later 2020 decision to expand council’s contribution, where Greiss records that he voted against the additional increase, reflecting concern about the growing financial burden on ratepayers.
Despite those reservations, Greiss makes a clear point: he does not support stopping, scaling back, or undermining the project, because council resolutions should be respected and delivery should proceed in good faith. The article also provides valuable detail on the expected operating costs and Greiss’ argument that ongoing subsidies are common across major public assets, comparing the Billabong’s estimated annual cost with other council facilities. Overall, it reads as a balanced position — transparent about process concerns, but focused on governance integrity and delivering what council has committed to.
Read more → Mayor says Billabong Parklands green light was rushed through in 2018