Liesl Codrington | Director

Liesl Codrington (MEnvPl, BA Human Geography & Demography, MPIA, MEIANZ, MSIMNA) is the Founder and Director of Vaere Social, a values-led practice dedicated to embedding equity, inclusion, and climate-aware 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 solutions. She partners with governments, industry, and communities to shape projects and reforms that balance climate resilience, social equity, 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 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, alongside dozens of social impact assessments, regional strategies, and policy reforms.

Her expertise covers the full spectrum of social planning and city-shaping — including 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, authenticity, and insight to every collaboration. Her people-first approach underpins her leadership in socially and environmentally sustainable planning, ensuring strategies are technically sound, socially meaningful, and grounded in the realities of how people live and what they need to thrive.