Access to information

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, 183KB) 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:

  • Council Land
  • Delegations
  • Development Consent
  • Disclosure of Donations
  • Disclosure of Interests(PDF, 446KB)
  • Investments (included in Council Meeting Agendas)
  • Planning Committee
  • Returns of the Interests of Councillors, Designated Persons and Delegates

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.

128 Result(s) Found

Reference number 182

27 April 2021

Information requested: Documents associated with the transfer of the railway corridor from NSW Government to TSC, showing any conditions attached specifically regarding the remova of railway tracks.

Access: Doucuments not held by Council, section 58(1)(b) of the GIPA Act 2009.

Reference number 181

23 April 2021

Information requested: Certain unfounded and unproven allegations have been made about the tenant (Unit 20/9 Kite Crescent, Murwillumbah) and his use of the property as per your letter to STM dated 25/2/21, which will severly restrict his use of the property and the Lease that he holds with the landlord.

Access: Access granted to 1 redacted document. Persons eeking access to the same document are to contact Council Right to Information Officer (02)6670 2400

Reference number 180

16 April 2021

Information requested: Dog attack report for dog handler to assess why 5 year old lab has bitten someone.

Access: Access granted to 1 redacted document. Persons seeking access to the document are to contact Council Right to Information Offier (02)6670 2400

Reference number 176

13 April 2021

Information requested: Access emails bewteen a third party and Councillor Milne in relation to DA20/0610

Access: Access granted to 2 redacted documents. Persons seeking to access the same documents are to contact Council Right to Information Offier (02)6670 2400

Reference number 177

26 March 2021

Information requested: Names and address of complaint to works done at 20 Chestnut Drive, Banora Point

Access: Access granted to 1 redacted docuemnt. Persons seeking access to the document are to contact Council Right to Information Officer (02)6670 2400

Reference number 178

26 March 2021

Information requested: In matter of compliance, ILL20/1034, need name of complainant.

Access: Access granted to 1 redacted document. Persons seeking access to the same document are to contact Council Right to Information Officer (02)6670 2400

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Register of Government contracts

The Council Contracts Register(PDF, 117KB) 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

 

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 2020/2021 being reported to the 6 August 2020 Council meeting.

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

Also see

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