Liesl Codrington | Director

Liesl Codrington is the Founder and Director of Vaere Social, a values-led practice focussed on embedding social understanding, inclusion and sustainable development thinking into planning, policy, and infrastructure.

With more than 20 years’ experience across government, consulting, and independent practice, Liesl is a systems thinker and strategist known for translating complexity into clear, practical direction. She works with governments, industry, and communities to shape projects and reforms that balance climate resilience, social needs, and long-term liveability.

She has contributed to national reform agendas, including Australia’s inaugural climate disclosure stakeholder engagement strategy (AASB), renewable energy portfolio reviews with ARENA, and planning reform for the ACT Government. She has also held senior leadership roles across both government and consulting.

Liesl’s work spans Australia, from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to regional NSW, South Australia, and the Victorian alpine region. Her portfolio includes major urban precincts and regional initiatives such as the Snowy Mountains and Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precincts, Mirvac’s Harbourside redevelopment, and Ginninderry, along with social impact assessments, regional strategies, and policy reforms.

Her expertise covers social planning, social impact assessment, social infrastructure planning, placemaking, community wellbeing, and the design of equitable public spaces. She integrates social value, stakeholder engagement, and systems thinking into planning and infrastructure decisions, with a strong focus on regional and climate-affected communities.

A skilled communicator and perceptive listener, Liesl brings empathy, clarity and insight to every collaboration. Her people-first approach underpins her leadership in socially and environmentally sustainable planning, ensuring outcomes are technically sound, socially meaningful, and grounded in the realities of how people live and what they need to thrive.