info@gcc.nsw.gov.au
Access to information
The Greater Cities Commission is committed to improving accountability and transparency by increasing access to government information.
The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) promotes transparency and encourages the proactive disclosure and timely release of government information. The GIPA Act does this in the following ways:
| Mandatory Proactive Release | The GIPA Act requires NSW Government agencies to make "Open Access Information" publicly available unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure. See the Commission’s Mandatory Proactive Release below. |
| Authorised Proactive Release | NSW Government agencies are authorised under the GIPA Act to proactively make public any government information that the agency holds. |
| Informal Release and Access Applications | In some circumstances, agencies may release information to a person who makes an informal request. The agency, having regard to the nature of the information, may make such information available by whichever means it considers appropriate and it may be subject to conditions. In other cases you may apply for access by making an access application. See below for more details. |
The GIPA Act provides that a person who makes a request has a legally enforceable right to access information, unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure of the information.
Mandatory Proactive Release
Disclosure logs
The record of information that the Commission has released in response to formal access applications.
View the Commission's Disclosure logs (will be live once applicable)
Information guide for the Commission
Under the GIPA Act the Commission is required to publish an Agency Information Guide.
View the Commission’s Agency Information Guide (coming soon)
Policy documents
Approved policies and procedures that affect or are likely to affect members of the public are made publicly available by the Commission.
View the Commission's Policy documents
Commission’s contract register
Procurement contracts over the value of $150,000 are made available on the NSW Governments eTender website.
Documents Tabled in Parliament
Under the GIPA Act, each agency is required to publish on its website any information about the agency which is contained in any document tabled in Parliament (other than information which is published as a result of an order of Parliament).
The Commission’s Annual Report is made available on our website.
How do I apply for access to information?
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Search on this website
The Commission publishes a large volume of material on this website. We try to release as much government information as possible, either through this website or in another appropriate way, and free of charge or at the lowest reasonable cost.
You should check the open access information at the links above to see if the information you are looking for is already available.
You can contact us by email governancelegal@gcc.nsw.gov.au to ask if the information you are after has been released by the Commission either on this website or in another form. Some publications may only be available on the payment of a fee, but we will let you know if that is the case.
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Make and informal request
If the information you are after has not already been published by the Commission but is information which raises no particular concerns in terms of possible public interest reasons why it should be kept confidential, then we may be able to release it to you on request without the formalities of having to make a formal application.
If you think this applies to the information you are after you can contact us by emailing governancelegal@gcc.nsw.gov.au to make an informal request.
Generally, we try to release information we hold without the need for you to make a formal access application, unless there are good reasons to require one.
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Make and formal access application
If the information you are seeking is not available on this website and is not otherwise routinely provided by the Commission on request, then you have a right to formally apply for access to specific information.
You may make an online application for information (PDF, 108KB).
OR
You may send your application by post with a payment by cheque or money order.
An access application must:
- Be in writing and addressed to the agency
- Indicate that it is an application under the GIPA Act
- Include payment of the $30 application fee
- Include details of a postal address for correspondence
- Include as much information as possible for us to identify the information that you are requesting
Download Access Application Form (PDF, 108KB)
Frequently asked questions
When will my application be decided?
On receipt of your access application, the Commission will send you a letter containing details of the expected time frame in which you may receive a response. Agencies are required to decide an access application within 20 working days of receiving the application (subject to any suspension or extension required).
Under the GIPA Act, the time period for deciding an application may be extended by up to 15 working days should the agency need to consult with another person and/or retrieve information from a records archive.
How is the decision made?
While there is a presumption in favour of granting you access to the information, the Commission must consider the public interest factors for and against disclosure, which are set out in the GIPA Act.
The Commission will also consider any objections raised by relevant third parties.
Can I seek a review of the decision?
You will be notified of the outcome of your application and provided information about decisions which can be reviewed under the GIPA Act.
Applicants can apply for a review of the decision by sending your application by email or post. Payment can made by direct deposit, cheque or money order, please contact governancelegal@gcc.nsw.gov.au for bank details if seeking to make a direct deposit.
Download Internal review application form (PDF, 87KB)
Review by the Information Commission and/or
Review by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Fees and charges
All fees and charges relating to GIPA applications are exempt from GST.
| Nature of application | Application fee | Processing charge |
| Access applications | $30 | $30 per hour, after the first hour |
| Internal review of reviewable decision | $40 | Nil |