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
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
- Director Corporate Services(PDF, 460KB)
- Director Engineering(PDF, 417KB)
- Director Planning and Regulation(PDF, 250KB)
- Director Sustainable Communities and Environment(PDF, 219KB)
- General Manager(PDF, 465KB)
- Manager Building and Environmental Health(PDF, 239KB)
- Manager Communication and Customer Experience(PDF, 169KB)
- Manager Corporate Governance(PDF, 701KB)
- Manager Development Assessment and Compliance(PDF, 347KB)
- Manager Financial Services(PDF, 346KB)
- Manager Human Resources(PDF, 400KB)
- Manager Information Technology(PDF, 2MB)
- Manager Infrastructure Delivery - Acting(PDF, 339KB)
- Manager Land and Economic Development - Acting(PDF, 238KB)
- Manager Parks and Active Communities(PDF, 331KB)
- Manager Planning and Infrastructure(PDF, 215KB)
- Manager Roads and Stormwater(PDF, 2MB)
- Manager Tweed Coast Holiday Parks and Cultural Facilities(PDF, 313KB)
- Manager Water and Wastewater Business and Assets(PDF, 1MB)
- Manager Water and Wastewater Operations(PDF, 429KB)
- Project Director Tweed Valley Rail Trail - Acting(PDF, 357KB)
- Team Leader Rangers(PDF, 1MB)
- Unit Coordinator Community Services(PDF, 2MB)
- Unit Coordinator Development Engineering - Acting(PDF, 240KB)
- Unit Coordinator Resource Recovery(PDF, 2MB)
- Unit Coordinator Sustainability and Environment(PDF, 319KB)
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