Access to Information
As a member of the public you have the right to access certain government information.
Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, there are four ways you can access information about Council.
Open Access Information
Arrangements can be made for amendments to records concerning the personal affairs of members of the public by contacting our Right to Information Officer.
Certain information must be disclosed by us unless it is not in the public interest to do so. This is referred to as open access information and includes the following:
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Information Guide - currently being updated
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Information about the agency contained in any document tabled in parliament by or on behalf of the agency (other than any document tabled by order of either House of Parliament) - Nil
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Policy documents
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A Disclosure Log of Access applications - currently being updated
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GIPA Register of Contracts (PDF 591.7KB) containing a listing of company information on awarded contracts per the requirements of a register of government contracts GIPA Act 2009
Under clause 1(2)(a) of Schedule 1 of the GIPA Regulation, the Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and Other Matters submitted annually by Councillors and designated persons should be released as part of Council's open access information. Some information within the returns has been redacted, under Section 6(4) of the GIPA Act, as it relates to the personal information of those who supplied it, and in order to protect the interests of any tenants of properties identified.
Designated Persons' written returns for 2024 can be viewed here (PDF 33.9MB).
Proactive Release of Information
In addition to the open access information that we must make available on our website, we also proactively release information with a commitment to providing as much information as possible for free or at the lowest possible cost. It is also our intent to make information easily accessible to the public. You can find information on our website or by contacting our Customer Experience Centre on (02) 6801 4000.
Delegation of Authority to the Chief Executive Officer (PDF 461.9KB)
Informal Release of Information
Wherever possible information that is not available on our website can be provided to you informally unless there are good reasons for requiring a formal applicationknown as Governance Information Public Access (GIPA). Under the Act, we may allow access to other information unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure of the information.
To make a request for information not available on the website, contact Council’s Corporate Governance Team on 02 6801 4000. Wherever possible, informal access will be arranged and if copies of documents are required, photocopying charges may apply.
Are you buying or selling a house? You can make a request for information related to building and development applications on Council's DRC&ME Portal via a Historical DA and BA File request.
Formal Release of Information
A formal application will be required for information concerning a third party, or where a large amount of documentation or research will be required to satisfy the request. The application fee for a formal application under the GIPA Act is $30, and a $30 per hour processing fee may also apply.
To submit a formal release of information (GIPA) visit Council's DRC&ME Portal. Please note that you will need to create an account if you do not already have one, existing users can simply log in. After logging in, click on the Applications and Forms tile and then the Access to Information tile.
If you're unable to submit your application online, please visit our team at a Customer Experience Centre or call on 02 6801 4000. We're here to help and can provide a printed application form upon request.
Details of procedures and fees are detailed on the NSW Government webpage Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 No 52, or may be obtained from our Customer Experience Centre.
Last Edited: 21 Nov 2024