Gary White, Chief Planner.

Gary White

CHIEF PLANNER

Gary White is a highly regarded leader in strategic and urban planning, with over 40 years of national experience. Recognised as a visionary across both the public and private sectors, Gary has held Australia’s two most senior planning roles—as Chief Planner for the NSW Department of Planning & Environment (2019) and Chief Planner for the Queensland State Government.

His deep expertise spans all aspects of planning, including regional development, planning systems, and market drivers. Known for his pragmatic and innovative approach, Gary excels in analysing complex planning challenges and delivering practical, strategic solutions. He is particularly focused on balancing mega trends, infrastructure investment, and development viability in an evolving world.

In 2018, he was named Planner of the Year by the Planning Institute of Australia for his outstanding contributions to strategic planning. Gary has also served as a past member of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Management Committee, the Central Sydney Planning Committee, and the Heritage Council of NSW

Keynote Speaking Events

Northern Rivers Housing Forum

PIA Congress 2024

PIA Congress 2025

Gary White, Chief Planner, speaking on stage at the PIA National Congress.
Gary White, Chief Planner, speaking on stage at the Northern Rivers Hosuing Forum. Behind him is a large screen displaying text and visuals, with a blue wall featuring the logo and the words 'Solve Properly' to his left.

Related Articles

Featured
The “Plan B” the Premier is looking for: Sydney Olympic Park
The “Plan B” the Premier is looking for: Sydney Olympic Park

Making headlines this week, the bold plan to make Rosehill Gardens racecourse a mini-city of 25,000 homes has failed, but the “Plan B” that Premier Chris Minns said he was looking for could be just one metro stop away: Sydney Olympic Park. Former Chief Planner for NSW Gary White, has called on the Minns government to develop the hectares of underused public land at Sydney Olympic Park into a “TOD-like” precinct centred around its future metro station.

Read More →
Reimagining our cities through a network of vibrant precincts
Reimagining our cities through a network of vibrant precincts

In a world reshaped by changing lifestyles and the aftershocks of the pandemic, cities must evolve to stay relevant. Enter the vibrant precinct — an urban strategy that blends community, commerce, culture, and connectivity to create thriving, inclusive spaces. A vibrant precinct is more than just a place, it's an experience.

Read More →
Urban Growth Models
Urban Growth Models

As Australia continues to face an escalating housing crisis, the debate frequently focuses on planning related barriers to much needed supply. Internally we have been discussing various urban growth models and are interested in the market impacts related to containment and densification.

Read our discussion paper here.

Read More →
55% of Greater Sydney LGA’s are behind their housing targets.
55% of Greater Sydney LGA’s are behind their housing targets.

Housing Now! has just released a damning report showing that 55% of Greater Sydney LGA's would need to increase their housing contributions by more than 50% to even have a chance of hitting their housing targets.

Speaking on the matter, Former NSW State Government Chief Planner and our very own Gary White was quoted in the Daily Telegraph today referencing the practice of councils deliberately rejecting DAs knowing that courts will later overrule decisions, as a contributing factor to housing delivery challenges.

Read More →