The Greater Cities Commission is driving the visionary planning and coordination of Australia’s first global multi-city region – to deliver the benefits of global economic scale and local liveability for everyone who lives here.
Our role is to coordinate and align the planning that will shape the future of our region. We accelerate the delivery of key innovation districts and lead discussion on major city-shaping issues.
At the Commission, we:
- deliver good jobs closer to where people live
- develop opportunities to attract world-class industry and talent to key centres
- ensure cities are better places to live for everyone.
The Commission is a statutory body and reports directly to the NSW Government. We are an independent agency within the Planning and Environment portfolio.
Our vision
By the middle of this century, the communities, industries, businesses and governments of the six cities will have collectively built a globally leading multi-city region, with improved quality of life and opportunities for the communities living there.
Our purpose
We are collaboratively building the scale, scope and potential for better jobs, housing, education, health, environment and lifestyle opportunities, to transform our local places and our global positioning.
From A Metropolis of Three Cities to six cities
In March 2022, the Greater Cities Commission Actlaunch was passed, which changed the Greater Sydney Commission to the Greater Cities Commission and expanded our geographic remit.
The multi-city region includes the Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle City, Central Coast City, Illawarra-Shoalhaven City, Western Parkland City, Central River City and Eastern Harbour City. It is based on local government boundaries and feedback from local stakeholders.
Our history
2015
Greater Sydney Commission formed
The Greater Sydney Commission Act 2015launch is passed by the NSW Parliament, and the Greater Sydney Commission is formed.
2016
Six draft District Plans released
Six draft District Plans are released for the Greater Sydney region, inviting feedback on the proposed vision to 2036. The Plans were crafted to explore the unique opportunities and challenges of each of the Districts.
2017
Draft Greater Sydney Region Plan
The Draft Greater Sydney Region Plan - A Metropolis of Three Cities is exhibited, introducing the idea of Greater Sydney as three connected cities.
2018
Final plan: A Metropolis of Three Cities
Following consultation, A Metropolis of Three Cities is endorsed and finalised, aiming to rebalance growth and deliver benefits more equally to residents across Greater Sydney.
2019
The Pulse of Greater Sydney, Local Strategic Planning Statements
The Pulse of Greater Sydney (PDF, 14.63 MB) and Local Strategic Planning Statements are developed to monitor and report on the implementation of the Region and City Plans.
2020
City-Shaping Impacts of COVID-19
COVID-19 disrupted established patterns of life and work. The Commission analysed the first six months of available data to produce the City-shaping impacts of COVID-19 report, identifying nine critical focus areas of city-shaping fundamental to recovery and resilience.
2022
Greater Cities Commission formed, Six Cities Region Discussion Paper
In March 2022, the Greater Cities Commission Actlaunch is passed, which changed the Greater Sydney Commission to the Greater Cities Commission and expands our geographic remit.
The Six Cities Region Discussion Paper is launched, introducing the concept of the network of connected cities in NSW that lift each other up, while celebrating and leveraging each city’s unique character and strengths.
