
Access to Information
From 1 July 2010 all applications for information and documents will be assessed under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009. The Freedom of Information Act 1989 (NSW) and Chapter 4, Part 2 of the Local Government Act 1993 have been abolished as at 1 July 2010.Ways in which the public can access government information
The GIPA Act:
- Upholds rights to information
that are designed to meet community expectations of more open and transparent
government;
- Maintains there is a presumption
in favour of disclosure of government information unless there is an overriding
public interest against disclosure;
- Authorises and encourages
government agencies to proactively release government information;
- Makes it possible for government
agencies to release information informally, without the need to submit a formal
access application;
- Requires that a government agency
must release information unless there is an overriding public interest against
disclosure;
- Provides applicants with review
rights around information access decisions.
Access to government information may be exercised in four
ways:
1. Mandatory release:
This generally includes information found on Council’s website such as policy and general documents.
2. Authorise proactive release:
Council is encouraged to release additional information, not considered mandatory release information, which may be of interest to the general public.
Any proactive release must be exercised in an appropriate manner by or with the authority of Council’s public officer, free of charge (or at the lowest reasonable cost).
3. Informal access applications
Other information held by Council is authorised to be release in response to an informal request, subject to any reasonable conditions that Council may wish to impose. This may include information not currently available on Council’s website or a request for an individual’s own personal information. The preferred method of lodging an informal request is through Council’s Customer Services team.
4. Formal access applications
In some limited circumstance, people seeking access to government information will need to submit a formal request. This should occur if one or more of the following apply to the information requested:
- It is of a sensitive nature that
requires careful consideration in terms of overriding public interest for and
against disclosure.
- It contains personal (of another
person) or confidential information where consultation with other agencies or
third parties is required.
- It would involve an unreasonable
amount of time and/or resources to provide the information requested.
Completing a GIPA Application Form (50KB) (if you cannot download this form you may obtain a form from Council’s Customer Service Centre) and,
- Presenting the form and the appropriate fee to Council’s Customer Service Centre.
Disclaimers
Responsibility for information on this site
Wentworth Shire Council makes no guarantee as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this website. All of the material on this site is for information and communication purposes only and does not constitute legal or any other advice upon which you can rely. Whilst Wentworth Shire Council endeavours to ensure that this information provided on the website is accurate and complete, it does not guarantee that the information is current, complete or correct and accepts no responsibility in these respects.
Copyright Disclaimer
Council’s responsibility to release information protected by Copyright.
Wentworth Shire Council provides access to information in accordance with the requirements of the GIPA Act, however legal Copyright provisions currently apply.
Information held on Council’s website is intended for general use only. Information and files may be downloaded, stored in cache, displayed and printed. Content must not be modified, copied, reproduced, or republished without the consent of Wentworth Shire Council.
Where Council is not the copyright owner of these documents, authority from the document owner may be necessary before Council can release copies of documents to members of the public. An example of this would be property plans and property reports lodged as part of a DA application.