Former premier Morris Iemma will represent St George and Sutherland Shire on a new state government body that has been given the job of shaping Sydney’s future planning direction.
Mr Iemma, a Narwee resident who has community and sporting roles in St George, has been appointed district commissioner for the south on the Greater Sydney Commission.
His role will include helping to create a district plan.
The south district includes the council areas of Hurstville, Kogarah, Rockdale, Canterbury and Sutherland Shire.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes announced the appointment of Mr Iemma and Sheridan Dudley, a former general manager of Camden Council, who will represent the south west.
They are the final appointments to the body, headed by chief commissioner Lucy Turnbull.
Mr Stokes said they would bring extensive experience and knowledge to the commission’s role of shaping Sydney’s future planning direction.
"District commissioners will play a critical role in representing their local communities, and creating district plans for their local areas as part of a new vision for the future shape of greater Sydney,” he said.
Mr Stokes said district commissioners were nominated by local councils in each district, and the appointments were made after a comprehensive selection process.
Greater Sydney Commission chief executive Sarah Hill said Mr Iemma and Ms Dudley would ”hit the ground running” in helping to create district plans and engaging with councils and stakeholders.
"The district plans will set out forward-thinking and game-changing planning priorities for each district and what needs to be done to achieve them,” she said.
“They will also outline how we will co-create Sydney’s future as a global city.”
Mr Iemma, who was premier from 2005-2008, is at present a board member of TAFE NSW and chairman of Riverwood Community Centre, Miracle Babies Foundation and NSW Cancer Institute.
He has also served on the boards of Beyond Blue, the SCG Trust and as chair of the South East Sydney Health District.