Page Sections: Open Access Documents | Plans and Policies | Development Applications (DAs) | Approvals, Orders and Other Documents | Access Application Requests 

Access to Council Information?

Access to documents, files or information held by Council is facilitated by the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.  The new Act replaces the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) and Section 12 of the Local Government Act.

Under the Act, Council has a requirement to make many of Council’s documents, described as “open access” documents, free of charge to the public on our website (unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure or to do so would impose unreasonable costs).

The “open access” documents are listed below.

Open Access Documents

• Annual Report - including Financial Report and Auditors Report
• Annual Reports of Bodies Exercising Functions Delegated by Local Authority
• Code of Conduct for Councillors
• Code of Conduct for Staff
• Code of Conduct for Delegates, Volunteers and Contractors
• Code of Conduct - Complaint Handling
• Code of Conduct Model - Division of Local Government
• Council Meeting Minutes, Agendas and Business Papers
• Council Voting Pattern Register (planning matters)
• Councillor's Expenses and Provision of Facilities Policy
• Declarations of Disclosures of Political Donations Register - select Local Government Councillor as Disclosure Type
• Delegations Register
• Equal Employment Opportunity/Diversity Management Plan
• Government Contracts Register
• Graffiti Removal Register
• Investments Register
• Land Register
• Code of Meeting Practice
  

Plans and Policies

• Local Policies Adopted by Council
• Community Land - Plans of Management (PoM)
• Environmental Planning Instruments, Development Control Plans and Contributions Plans made under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
   

Development Applications

To view Development Applications and all associated plans and documents select from the list below:

• Development Applications Register
• Development Applications on Exhibition
• Development Application Approvals
• Variations to Development Standards Register
• Plans of land proposed to be compulsary acquired by Council - Presently there are no current plans or acquisition notices in place.
• Compulsary acquisition notices - Presently there are no current plans or acquisition notices in place

In accordance with the Access to Information and Documents held by Council policy, the following documents (prescribed Open Access) are only available via an Informal Access Application:

• return of interests of designated persons or delegates (including councillors)
• submissions.
• orders

For access to all other documents not otherwise listed above, an Access Application is required to be completed and submitted to Council's Customer Service.

Access Application Requests

Informal Access Application

An Informal Access Application replaces applications, previously applied for under the provisions of Section 12 of the Local Government Act 1993.

Informal Access Applications incur no application fee, however, should you wish to obtain copies of documents, copying charges may apply as per Council’s Current Fees & Charges.

To apply informally for access to Council documents or information:

• apply online using Council’s online services
• or contact Council’s Customer Service Officers on (02) 4227 7111.

Formal Access Application

A formal access application replaces applications, previously applied for under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1989.

Formal Access Applications incur a $30 application fee, and further processing fees may apply. These fees can be found in Council’s Current Fees & Charges. 

To apply for formal access to Council’s documents or information:

• download a copy of the Formal Application form

Applications will only be accepted in accordance with the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.

For more information on the GIPA ACT contact Council's Right to Information Officer on (02) 4227 7111.