Formal information request
A formal information request can be made when information you’re looking for is unavailable on our website, or by an informal request.
NSW government agencies, including councils are required to release information as set out in the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act)
We are legally required to provide you with access unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure of the information.
Starting a formal information request
You will need to be specific about the information you want such as:
- Is this your personal information?
- Why is the information important to you?
- What information do you want to access? e.g. Financial outlay on project XYZ
- What type of file do you need ? (e.g. report)
- Do you need this information assist you in exercising any legal rights?
- Is there a specific date range? e.g. Reports from 2020-2021
Copyright laws still apply to all documents and the copyright owner must consent before information can be released.
Requests for information about business, or personal information about someone unrelated to the application are permitted, however, we consult with them before the information is released.
Apply online
Press the Apply online button to start the lodgement process, you will be asked to make a payment to submit the request.
Payments made by Visa or Mastercard incur a service fee of 0.5%
Apply in person
Download and print the Formal information access application form, and lodge the completed form to any of our Customer Service Centres
Payment can be made by cheque, money order, debit, or credit cards (Visa and Mastercard).
Payments using a credit card will incur a service fee of 0.5%
Fees and charges
An application fee will be charged at lodgement. Other fees may be applied after your application has been assessed.
| GIPA Formal Application Fee | $30.00 |
| GIPA Formal Processing fee (after first hour or 2 hours if 50% reduction available) | $30.00 per hour |
|
Access to information by person about their Personal Affairs * *Applications relating to personal information will be processed free of charge for the first 20 hours of processing |
$30.00 per hour |
Payments can be made by Visa or Mastercard which incurs a service fee of 0.5%
If you are the holder of a Pensioner Concession Card, a full-time student or a non-profit organisation, council will reduce the GIPA processing fee by 50%. Provide supporting documentation. You will need to submit a copy with your application.
Photocopy and copy charges can be found on the our Fees and Charges page.
You will be contacted with a quote and request payment of an advanced deposit for large requests.
After lodgement
You may be contacted for further information once your application is received
We will aim to provide information requested as quickly as possible, however complex searches or historical information may take longer.
For any questions or more information, contact Customer Service on 1300 581 299.