Greater Sydney Commission CEO appointment

The NSW Government today announced the appointment of Sarah Hill as the Chief Executive of the Greater Sydney Commission. 

Ms Hill was a founding member of the planning team for the London Olympic and Paralympic games. She was then appointed as a lead consultant for the London Olympic Delivery Authority on planning, design and environmental matters and is recognised as an Australian leader in the planning of communities.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes said it is another exciting milestone in the establishment of the Commission.

“It is great news for Sydneysiders that the Greater Sydney Commission will be run by someone with Ms Hill’s experience,” Mr Stokes said.

“Sarah’s skill in urban planning and property economics has gained her international recognition for her work.”

Chief Commissioner Lucy Turnbull said Ms Hill’s intimate knowledge of planning, coupled with overseas experience made her the best candidate for the job.

“I look forward to working with Sarah and the new commissioners in partnership with the community to better coordinate planning in Sydney,” Ms Turnbull said. Ms Hill said the establishment of the Commission recognises the importance of getting planning right, ensuring that as Sydney develops its growth is matched by progress.

“We know from other global cities that metropolitan governance, based on models like this, can achieve better outcomes through coordinated planning,” Ms Hill said. “Getting planning right is about making people's lives tangibly better as Sydney’s population continues to increase.”

The Chief Executive will lead the new agency and report to the Chief Commissioner.

Ms Hill is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology and Director of a planning advisory service. She is an immediate Past President of the Planning Institute of Australia (NSW) and has served previously in various advisory capacities to the NSW Government.