Georges River Council has become the only council in NSW with more than one Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) Fellow, as Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Meryl Bishop, and Director City Strategy and Innovation, Sue Weatherley, were made Fellows of the Planning Institute of Australia.
Decided by PIA’s National Board, Fellowship is awarded to long-standing members for their outstanding service to the planning profession, particularly industry leading planners who innovate, challenge and change the profession for the better.
With over 25 years’ experience working in local government, Ms Bishop commenced her role as Georges River Council’s Director Environment and Planning in October 2016, driving change to ensure the amalgamation of the former Hurstville and Kogarah Councils delivered the best outcomes for the Georges River community.
PIA cited, “Meryl Bishop is passionate about environmental protection and has a strong interest in social geography and social welfare. Meryl’s commitment to local government stems from her desire to see the outcomes of her endeavours evolve into practice.
“Her dedication to social responsibility is inherent in her work. Advocacy for the community and for the State Government is important to Meryl, and her work strives for the enhancement of the liveability, productivity and sustainability.”
As Georges River Council’s Director City Strategy and Innovation since February 2019, Ms Weatherley is skilled in strategic and corporate planning, team development and process re-engineering, with a comprehensive knowledge of local government. Throughout her career, Sue has been brave and vocal to foster outstanding improvements in planning outcomes and the development of places, Council said in a statement.
PIA cited, “Sue Weatherley is a positive, enthusiastic leader, passionate about the role that planning has in making peoples’ lives better. She has comprehensive experience in senior level planning, management, and the direction of broad-based directorates in medium to large local governments in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
“Sue has over 20 years of experience in senior local government executive roles. She has helped drive strong outcomes across a broad range of strategic objectives, managing significant growth the area and playing an integral role in discussion with the NSW Government on a number of planning and infrastructure initiatives.”
Georges River Council General Manager, Gail Connolly said, “To be recognised by the national body is an outstanding achievement and I congratulate Meryl and Sue.”
“We are very pleased to be the only NSW council with two PIA Fellows. This is a reflection of the passion and expertise our staff bring. Our community has been extremely privileged to have Meryl and Sue guiding the planning of our city and setting the long-term vision for future generations. They are highly respected by their peers in the NSW government and have played a critical role in Council being recognised as a superior planning authority in NSW.
“I thank Meryl and Sue for their ongoing service to the planning industry, the Council and our Georges River community.”
