Government Information Public Access (GIPA)
Council is committed to assisting members of the community access information about Council. The following information will help you to access particular details about Council's structure and functions, how you can participate in the formulation of our policies and the exercise of functions, the information we hold and will make available to you and the ways in which you can access Council's information.
As a member of the public you have the right to access certain government information.
Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, (GIPA) there are four ways you can access information about Council.You can learn more about each method of obtaining information below.
Whilst we are continuing to process information requests, there is potential for delays in completing requests due to the changes to regular council services as a response to Covid-19. Should this be likely to occur, Council will notify you in accordance with the guidance provided by the Information and Privacy Commission (IPC).
Further information is available via the IPC website.
Open access information (mandatory release)
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:
- Our GIPA Agency Information Guide which lists the Council information that is available free of charge on our website (download from the bottom of this page).
- Policy documents
- Annual reports
- Long term financial plans and Revenue policy inclusive of fees and charges
- Council Management Plans
- Council Minutes and Agendas
- Information about proposed development applications
Open Access information may still be subject to the public interest test where information contains personal or copyright information and where owners consent is required.
Open Access information not publicly available
Council keeps a record of Open Access Information which it does not make publicly available on its website on the basis of an overriding public interest against disclosure.
The document available below "Open Access records not available on website" includes a general guide to open access information Federation Council has not released on its website. This is because either;
- the records generally contain information of a private or sensitive nature pertaining to a third party and will require a public interest test to be performed prior to being made public, or,
- to do so would result in unreasonable additional costs on Council, or
- because the information does not exist.
If you are unable to find the information you require on Council’s website please provide your request in writing to us using the Informal access to information form at the bottom of this page.
More on Development Applications
At times the public may request information concerning the following:
- development applications and associated documents.
- information concerning approvals, orders and other documents.
Requests for records relating to a Development Application prior to 1/7/2010 may be requested using the GIPA Formal access to information form and will be subject to a processing fee of $30 for the first hour. Where any additional charges are applicable Council will advise you of this prior to records being released.
To request information relating to Development records please complete the relevant form below.
- Records pre 1 July 2010 – GIPA Access Application form.
- Records post 1 July 2010 - Informal Access Request for Development Records.
* Requests for DA information prior to 1 July 2010, requires a $30 application fee to be paid prior to processing your request. An advance payment of up to 50% of the estimated processing charges may be required prior to release of records. The legislated processing time frame can be up to 30 days depending on the records requested and any consultation with third parties required.
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 unless there is an overriding public interest against public disclosure of the information.
Tips to help ensure application is able to be processed
If dealing with the application causes an unreasonable and substantial diversion of resources for Council, we may not be able to deal with the application in accordance with the GIPA Act. Therefore, it is important that your request for information under the GIPA Act is described clearly and specifically. This will enable us to better understand what information you seek and deal with the application.
We encourage you to use the checklist provided by the NSW Information and Privacy Commission to help you achieve a successful outcome from your access application or contact us for assistance. The checklist can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.