Access to information

Council is committed to the proactive disclosure and dissemination of information about our operations, plans and decisions.

As a Local Government organisation it is required to provide appropriate access to information under the Local Government Act 1993, Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA), Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Privacy and Personal Information Act 1998 and Health Records Information Privacy Act 2002. 

Council publishes a range of information online under the GIPA Act free of charge and all other information can be accessed through either a formal or informal application process.

Informal requests

Council is authorised to release government information held unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure of the information. For information that is not readily available via our website, you can submit an informal request.

Examples of informal information include:

  • Development Applications (for example, applications, planners reports, consents and plans)
  • building related certificates
  • plans of management
  • local history material

There is no application fee for informal requests for information, however copying charges may apply. An applicant will be notified within 15 working days if the information requested is available for release. 

If you lodge an informal access application, Council may require a formal access application form to be submitted in certain circumstances.

Make an informal information request

Formal requests

 A formal GIPA request form will need to be completed if the information that is being sought:

  • is not available via an informal release
  • is of a sensitive nature that requires careful weighing of considerations in favour of and against disclosure
  • contains personal information about a third party that requires consultation
  • contains business (or commercial in confidence) information
  • may involve a substantial amount of time and resources to produce

All formal access applications are subject to an application fee of $30. Additional processing fees may apply. You will be notified as to the validity of your application within five business days. Council must then decide and give notice of decision within 20 business days.

Further information about the formal GIPA application is available in the Access to Information Policy(PDF, 172KB) .

Make a formal information request

Information held by Council

For details on Council’s structure and functions, the various kinds of information it holds and how that may be accessed please see Council’s Agency Information Guide(PDF, 1MB).

The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA) requires agencies to keep a disclosure log of applications where access is provided (to some or all of the information applied for) and may be considered of interest to other members of public.