ACCESS TO INFORMATION
About the GIPA Act
Access to information is regulated by the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (‘GIPA Act’), which replaced the Freedom of Information Act 1989.
The GIPA Act provides an open and transparent process for giving the public access to information, and encourages the proactive release of information. It requires us to make information publicly available unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure. This involves applying a public interest test.
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council will help you access information held by Council which may be of interest to you. Your right to access information held by Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council is governed by the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) and related policies and guides below.
How do I access information held by Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council?
Search Our Website
Council’s website is a valuable resource for members of the public and contains a large amount of information. In the first instance, we recommend that you search our website to see if the information you are seeking is already available.
Open Access Information
The GIPA Act requires certain information to be published on Council’s website, known as open access information. Details and links to this information can be found on the Open Access Information page.
Proactively released information
Council proactively makes a range of information publicly available on our website. We also regularly review information to see if it can be released.
Request the Information
If the information you are seeking is not available on Council’s website it may be necessary for you to request the information. This can be completed in one of two ways:
Informal Access Request (used in most cases)
An Informal Access to Information Request will cover most information requests. No application or processing fees apply to this type of request however photocopying charges may apply as outlined in Council’s Fees and Charges.
In addressing your request, Council may impose any reasonable conditions on the supply of this information. For example, where information is subject to copyright protection, the copyright owners written consent is required to gain copies of these documents.
Please note: If you would like to physically view information, please contact Council to arrange an appointment. This information may not be immediately available to you. In order to assist Council with your request please complete the Informal Access to Information Request form and email it to mail@cgrc.nsw.gov.au.
Our Common Requests for Information page provides further guidance on accessing information related to:
- Development Application Information
- neighbouring property owners details;
- architectural plans (House Plans);
Formal Access Request
A Formal Access to Information Request may be required if the information that you are seeking involves, or is likely to involve, any of the following:
- Information about a 3rd party (Individual/s)
- Confidential information; (e.g. Legal advice) or
- Commercial-in-confidence considerations; or
- A substantial investment of time or resources is required by Council to address the information request.
An application fee of $30 applies to this type of request with additional processing fees payable depending on the extent of the information requested and the time involved in addressing your request.
Requests can be made by completing the Formal Access to Information Request form
How do I lodge my information request?
You can lodge your completed request:
- by email to mail@cgrc.nsw.gov.au
- by mail to PO Box 420, Cootamundra NSW 2590
- in person to our Administration Centre in Cootamundra or Gundagai
Still unsure how to request information from Council?
Please contact Council’s Governance Officer on 1300 459 689 or via email at mail@cgrc.nsw.gov.au.
Information protected by Copyright
Council is committed to meeting its obligations under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) and the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act). Council holds information that may be protected by copyright including house plans, reports, publications and images, among others. Council will not provide copies of any documents which may be subject to copyright without the express written consent of the copyright owner.
Privacy
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council respects the privacy of its residents, ratepayers and the people who use its services.
We will only collect personal information, such as your name, address or contact details, if we need it to carry out our lawful activities or to provide services you have requested.
As far as possible, where we collect personal information we will:
- collect it from you;
- only use it for the purpose for which it was collected;
- only keep the information for as long as is necessary;
- store the information securely; and
- give you the opportunity to access or amend your personal information if you wish to do so.
We will not pass your personal information on to a third party unless you have agreed or we are required to by legislation. Your personal information will only be used by Council staff or other people working with Council staff to provide the program or service required.
At all times when collecting, using or managing personal information we will follow the requirements of the NSW Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act and Council’s Privacy Management Plan.
