Government Information Public Access Act

After 20 years of governing how citizens can seek information from their Government, the Freedom of Information Act 1989 has been repealed and replaced with the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPAA).

The GIPA Act creates new rights to information that are designed to meet community’s expectations of more open and transparent government. It encourages the routine and proactive release of government information, including information held by providers of goods and services contracted by government agencies.

How Members of the Public may Access our Information

Members of the public seeking access to Council information should initially search this section of the website.

If the information is not referenced in this section, the public should contact a Council Right to Information Officer, detailed as follows:

Neil Baldwin (02) 6670 2421
David Malone (02) 6670 2538
Peter Brack (02) 6670 2651

The Officer will either advise where the information is located or request that an

Informal Access Request (264kb) form be lodged with Council. There is no charge for this request, however appropriate photocopying charges of obtained copies of information may apply.

The Officer will discuss the method of supply of the information, including likely timeframe. The Public will also be offered the opportunity to inspect and obtain copies of the information from Council's Murwillumbah Administration Office between the hours of 8.30am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).

In limited circumstances, a Right to Information Officer will inform an applicant that their access to information will require the lodgement of a

Formal Access Application (266kb) with Council. The applicant will be required to pay an application fee of $30.00 and you may be required to pay an additional charge for processing the application ($30/hour).

Agency Information Guide

The Agency Information Guide describes the structure and functions of Council, the various types of information it holds and how people can access it.

Documents About Council

Council's Policy Documents

Council is required by legislation to have certain policies available to the public, such as the Code of Conduct and Code of Meeting Practice. To function in accordance with various legislation, Council has adopted a considerable number of local policies. All these policies are reviewed at least every four years and amended or deleted as required. Any changes to policies must be adopted by Council.

Council General Documents

Registers

Council is required by legislation to maintain the following registers, which must be made available to the public either proactively on the website or informally through a Right to Information Officer:

Disclosure Log

Agencies need to set up a disclosure log showing what information has been released in response to formal access applications, when it was released and whether other members of the public can also have access to it.

Tweed Shire Council formal access application determinations under the GIPA Act 2009 are published in a list below.

Existing Formal Access Applications Log

Reference Number: 15
Decision Date: September 26, 2012

Information requested: Pertaining to the sewerage line at 1 Bilambil Street Bilambil
Access: The information is not currently on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 14
Decision Date: July 31, 2012

Information requested: Pertaining to Cobaki - copies of managment plans submitted by SMEC Urban on behalf of Leda Manorstead Pty Ltd
Access: The information is not currently on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 13
Decision Date: March 20, 2012

Information requested: Amount paid by Council to Baclon Pty Ltd as compensation or reimbursement for the cost of sewerage work
Access: The information is nor currently available on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66 702651, to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 8D
Decision Date: March 15, 2012

Information requested: Pertaining to Kings Forest and Cobaki Lakes developments, as contained in Annexure A, items 1 to 17
Access: The information is not currently on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 11
Decision Date: March 15, 2012

Information requested: information on rating for the Hacienda Caravan Park Chinderah
Access: Access to information not provided

Reference Number: 12
Decision Date: March 15, 2012

Information requested: Information on rating for the Homestead Caravan Park Chinderah
Access: Information not provided

Reference Number: 8C
Decision Date: February 28, 2012

Information requested: Pertaining to Kings Forest and Cobaki Lakes developments, as contained in Annexure A, items 1 to 17
Access: The information is not currently on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 10
Decision Date: February 14, 2012

Information requested: Statistical data relating to motor vehicle accidents and road upgrades on Pottsville Road between Mooball and Cudgera Creek Roads since 1 January 2005 to January 2012
Access: The information is not currently on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66 702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 9
Decision Date: January 19, 2012

Information requested: A Copy of document titled A Report on Tweed Shire Council's dealings connected with Kings Forest( including documents obtained under the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009), August 2011.
Access: The information is not currently on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 8B
Decision Date: January 11, 2012

Information requested: Pertaining to Kings Forest and Cobaki Lakes Deveopments, as contained in Annexure A, items 1 to 17
Access: The information is not currently on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 8A
Decision Date: December 29, 2011

Information requested: Pertaining to Kings Forest and Cobaki Lakes Develeopments - Annexure A, Items 1 to 17
Access: The information is not currently on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66 702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 6B
Decision Date: September 6, 2011

Information requested: An application seeking a review of Council's decision dated 27 April 2011 and to issue a new decision
Access: A new decision was issued providing a complete copy of the information. The information is not currently on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 0266 702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 7
Decision Date: May 10, 2011

Information requested: Request who lodged a complaint about a barking dog
Access: Information was released who lodged the complaint, without the persons postal address. The information is not currently on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66 702651, to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 6
Decision Date: April 21, 2011

Information requested: A copy of the minutes of a workshop held in chambers on Thursday 3 February 2011, regarding the proposed subdivision to create a public road, Chinderah Road Chinderah
Access: Copy of minutes were released, with two items being redacted. The information is not currently on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66 702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 2D
Decision Date: March 31, 2011

Information requested: An application seeking an internal review of a decision dated 7 September 2010 to withhold information. A redacted copy of an expression of interest application to the Tweed Coast Koala Advisory Committee was released
Access: The information is not available on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66 702651 to arrange access to the information.

Reference Number: 5
Decision Date: March 31, 2011

Information requested: An application seeking access to an attachment to an addendum report on the Community Strategic Plan which was considered by Council at its meeting of Tuesday 14 Dcember 2010
Access: The information is not currently on line, persons seeking access to the same infor mation are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66 702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 4
Decision Date: March 1, 2011

Information requested: An application requesting all details who made a GIPA Act Application pertaining to my expression of interest to serve on the Tweed Coast Advisory Committee.
Access: The information is not available on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66 702651 to arrange access to the information.

Reference Number: 3B
Decision Date: February 24, 2011

Information requested: Council was requested to reconsider its decision of 3A dated, 26 October 2010, by reapplieing the public interest test
Access: 37 pages - full release, 25 pages - partial release All of the above information is not available on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66 702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 2C
Decision Date: November 25, 2010

Information requested: An application seeking an internal review of a decision dated 7 September 2010 to withhold information. A redacted copy of an expression of interest application to the Tweed Coast Koala Advisory Committee was released
Access: The information is not available on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right To Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 3A
Decision Date: October 26, 2010

Information requested: General Manager's new 2 year contract; All documents associated with the General Manager's performance re view leading his additional 2 year contract Relevant ledger detailing the General Manager's expense schedule for the financial years 2008/09 and 2009/10 Relevant information showing the relevant salary package of the General Manager from his initial appointment to current date
Access: 36 pages- full release, 55 pages withheld All of the above full release information is not available on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer, Peter Brack on 02 66 702651 to arrange access to the information.

Reference Number: 2B
Decision Date: September 7, 2010

Information requested: An application seeking information regarding the formation of the Tweed Coast Koala Advisory Group
Access: 26 pages - full release, 10 pages partial release. The information is not avalable on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 2A
Decision Date: August 31, 2010

Information requested: An application seeking information on Council File GT1/51- Kings Forest Concept Plan including associated reports and information identified through a formal file inspection
Access: 167 pages full release, 2 pages partial release. The information is not available on line, persons seeking access to the same information are to contact Council's Right to Information Officer Peter Brack on 02 66 702651 to arrange access to the information

Reference Number: 1
Decision Date: August 4, 2010

Information requested: An application for information regarding DA09/0006 - 4 Lot industrial subdivision at Ozone Street Chinderah, in particular reports on environmental issues
Access: 472 pages - full release - The information is not available on line, persons seeking access to the information are to contact Peter Brack on 02 66 702651 to arrange access to the information

The

Council Contracts Register (45kb) contains information on those contracts to which Council is a party and valued at or over $150,000. The Contracts Register applies to Class 1, 2 and 3 contracts. The information contained in the register for each class is summarised by:

GIPAA - Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009