Access to information
Documents Registers and disclosure Returns of interest Privacy Copyright
Members of the public have a right to access certain government information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.
Read more about accessing NSW government information on the Information and Privacy Commission website.
How you can access Council information
When asking for information from us, we'll either direct you to where the information is located or ask you to submit an Informal Access Request.
You will be offered the opportunity to arrange an appointment to inspect the information at Council's Murwillumbah Administration Office. Charges for copies of information may apply.
In limited circumstances, you may be required to lodge a Formal Access Application(PDF, 66KB). A fee is payable on application and additional processing charges may apply.
Development applications
Visit the DA tracker and property search website for development application information. (Applications lodged between 1 July 2009 and 1 December 2016 only have basic information).
Further information can be accessed using the process above.
Agency information guide
The GIPAA Agency Information Guide(PDF, 413KB) describes the structure and functions of Council, the types of information we hold and how people can access it.
Council documents
Documents about Council that have been tabled in Parliament:
Council policies
Council is required by legislation to have certain policies available to the public.
Policies are reviewed at least every 4 years and amended or deleted as required. Any changes to policies must be adopted by Council.
See Council policies
Council general documents
Registers and disclosure
The following registers are available on our 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.
Formal access application log
Tweed Shire Council formal access application determinations under GIPAA.
207 Result(s) Found
Reference number 263
9 December 2022
Information requested:
All correspondence between TSC and Newton Denny Chapelle- Francis review
Access:
Access granted to 9 unredacted documents. Persons seeking access to documents are to contact Rights to Information Officer (02)6670 2400
Reference number 262
7 December 2022
Information requested:
Information required for potholes - Terranora Road, Bugalora
Access:
Application cancelled, no application fee received
Reference number 258
28 November 2022
Information requested:
All correspondence between TSC and Cameron Arnold
Access:
No documents to produce
Reference number 257
25 November 2022
Information requested:
All complaints lodged over 19 Dallis Court, Dunbible
Access:
Access granted to 3 unredacted documents and 7 redacted documents. Persons seeking access to documents are to contact Rights to Information Officer (02)6670 2400
Reference number 261
17 November 2022
Information requested:
Consent conditions Mount Warning Spring Water-2575 Kyogle Rd, Kunghur
Access:
Access granted to 4 unredacted docuents and 1 redacted document. Persons seeking access to the documents are to contact Rights to Information Officer
Reference number 260
14 November 2022
Information requested:
Information on a fall at Pottsville Beach Community Hall
Access:
Access granted to 5 unredacted documents and 6 redacted documents. Persons seeking access to the documents are to contact Rights to Information Officer (02)6670 2400
Register of Government contracts
The Council Contracts Register(PDF, 193KB) 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:
- Class 1 - details of the contract itself must be published, including name and address of the contractor, effective contract date and duration, particulars of project under the contract, estimated amount payable
- Class 2 - details of the contract where there has been substantial renegotiation of terms after a tender process or contracts that will be privately financed
- Class 3 - details of contracts at $5 million or above and the register in addition to applicable information, must include a copy of the contract.
Returns of interests
Councillors and designated persons are required to prepare and submit written returns of interest (returns) within 3 months after:
- becoming a Councillor or designated person
- 30 June of each year
- becoming aware of an interest they are required to disclose1
The returns are publicly available on the Council’s website free of charge2.
Councillor returns of interest
Designated persons returns of interest
- Acting Manager Building Environmental Health(PDF, 1MB)
- Acting Manager Development Engineering and Land Development(PDF, 1000KB)
- Acting Manager Inclusive and Creative Communities(PDF, 901KB)
- Director Corporate Services(PDF, 4MB)
- Director Engineering(PDF, 970KB)
- Director Planning and Regulation(PDF, 1MB)
- Director Sustainable Communities and Environment(PDF, 903KB)
- General Manager(PDF, 979KB)
- Manager Corporate Governance(PDF, 785KB)
- Manager Destination Communication Customer Experience(PDF, 914KB)
- Manager Development Assessment Compliance(PDF, 955KB)
- Manager Financial Services(PDF, 853KB)
- Manager Information Technology(PDF, 905KB)
- Manager Infrastructure Delivery(PDF, 2MB)
- Manager Parks Active Communities(PDF, 1MB)
- Manager People and Culture(PDF, 1MB)
- Manager Roads Stormwater(PDF, 790KB)
- Manager Sustainability Environment(PDF, 988KB)
- Manager Water Wastewater Business Assets (Projects)(PDF, 921KB)
- Manager Water Wastewater Business Assets(PDF, 789KB)
- Manager Water Wastewater Operations(PDF, 1MB)
- Unit Coordinator Resource Recovery(PDF, 857KB)
- Unit Coordinator Strategic Planning Urban Design(PDF, 795KB)
- Unit Coordinator Tweed Holiday Parks(PDF, 770KB)
Public interest test
The returns may contain personal information about the person concerned, and, potentially, about third parties such as family members. The Councillor or designated person has the right to object to the release of this information.
In these cases the ‘public interest test’ is applied and the returns have been edited where it has been determined that there is an overriding public interest against disclosure3.
Councillor fee
The Office of Local Government (OLG) provided advice that Councillors did not need to disclose their fee as a Councillor under Part B – Sources of income4. Some Councillors have chosen to include this information while others have not.
This information is already publicly reported, with the most recent report on the Mayor and Councillor Annual Fees for 2023/2024 being reported to the 22 June 2023 Council meeting.
Councillor expenses for the year ended June 2023 are detailed below:
|
Cr Brinsmead |
Cr Byrnes |
Cr Cherry |
Cr Dennis |
Cr Firth |
Cr Owen |
Cr Polglase |
Non Specific |
Grand Total |
Groceries, catering, meals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,580 |
8,580 |
Interstate training, conferences, meetings |
5,812 |
|
3,369 |
33 |
2,561 |
3,515 |
|
|
15,290 |
Phone & internet |
3,333 |
1,715 |
2,585 |
1,023 |
500 |
2,471 |
1,857 |
|
13,484 |
Expenses |
6,674 |
813 |
2,862 |
7,188 |
4,820 |
4,818 |
7,847 |
3,783 |
38,805 |
Training & induction |
7,068 |
705 |
2,370 |
855 |
2,055 |
1,796 |
1,455 |
|
16,305 |
Intrastate (NSW) training, conferences, meetings |
1,453 |
|
9,485 |
1,560 |
5,925 |
3,473 |
2,218 |
27 |
24,141 |
Grand Total |
24,340 |
3,233 |
20,671 |
10,659 |
15,861 |
16,073 |
13,377 |
12,390 |
116,604 |
- Total excludes insurance premium as Councillors are included in Council's insurance policy for Councillors and Officers.
- Total excludes Mayoral Vehicle $13,126 – weekly lease payment of $53.43 made by the Mayor for use of the Mayoral Vehicle. Amount excludes fuel expenses.
- Administrative support provided by the PA to Mayor and Councillors.
For further information call Council’s Coordinator Governance and Information on 02 6670 2400 or email tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au
Notes
1 Refer to Part 4 of Code of Conduct for Councillors (Model) Policy, Code of Conduct for Council Staff (Model) Policy and Code of Conduct for Council Committee Members, Delegates of Council and Council Advisers (Model) Policy.
2 In accordance with the open access information requirements under Clause 1(2)(a) of Schedule 1 to the Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2018.
3 In accordance with section 6(4) of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.
4 Model Code of Conduct For Local Councils in NSW – A Guide to Completing Returns of Interests – 2020.
Further resources
Frequently asked questions(PDF, 103KB)
Visit Information and Privacy Commission NSW or email ipc@nsw.gov.au