Access to Council Information and Documents

The NSW Government has introduced new legislation, the Government Information (Public Access) Act (GIPA) which became effective on 1 July, 2010 at which time the Freedom of Information Act and Section 12 of the Local Act were repealed. This new legislation requires Councils to have “Open Access Information” available on their websites so that members of the public can easily access Council documents and information 24 hours a day.

This information includes most documents created by Council and information supplied to Council by external organisations or individuals. Release of information continues to be subject to compliance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIPA). See also Council's Privacy Management Plan.

The Hills Shire Council continues to be committed to open and transparent government and access to information collected and held by Council will be made available in accordance with the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009. The Act creates an enforceable right to information unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure.

The GIPA Act provides for Council information to be released in four (4) ways:

1. Mandatory Proactive Release (Open Access)

This information is made available on Council’s website and is available free of charge e.g. meeting agendas and minutes, register of contracts, annual reports, policy documents etc.

Open Access Information

Information currently available to the public free of charge by way of open access (other than photocopying) is as follows:

Publication Guide July 2011 - 243.32kB

Link to Open Access Documents List

2. Proactive Release

All Councils are encouraged to make as much information of public interest as possible publicly available free of charge or at minimal cost. e.g frequently requested information or information of public interest.

3. Informal Release

Other information held is authorised to be released in response to an informal request subject to any reasonable conditions that Council may wish to impose e.g requests for the personal information of the individual concerned but NOT another persons personal information.

GIPA - Informal Access Application Form (21.57kB)

4. Formal Release

The release of all other information not made available by either mandatory, proactive or informal release can be made by way of a formal access application. Standard fees and charges and time frames are applicable for such applications e.g Personal information relating to a third party where consultation is required or where information is of a confidential nature. Written application forms are required for formal applications.

GIPA Formal Access Application Form (22.53kB)

Open Access Documents list

Disclosure log of Access Applications

DISCLOSURE LOG OF FORMAL GIPA APPLICATIONS (36.13kB)

Record of Open Access information NOT made publicly available on the basis of an overriding public interest against disclosure: When open access information is not released by The Hills Shire Council due to an overriding interest against disclosure, a log will be published. No access applications have been refused to date.

Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW (424.87kB)

Annual Community Reports

Financial Reports

Auditor's Reports

Integrated Strategy 2009 - 2013 (8.32MB)

The Hills Shire Council Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement 2010 (505.23kB)

Code of Meeting Practice (466.12kB)

Delegations Register 22 June 2010 (139.11kB)

Council Agendas and Minutes

Reports to Council of any investigation made under Section433 of the Local Government Act: No investigations to report.

Development Applications and associated documents: Applications prior to 1 September, 2004 are not on Council’s website. For access to DA files prior to that date please complete this form:

Request for copy of documents or plans - use Council's E-Request System

Voting Results - 11 Nov 2008 - Present (535.91kB)

Summary Draft Plan of Management Bella Vista Farm Park (1.01MB)

Request for Neighbour Information (135.04kB) and House Number Alteration Form (204.11kB)

More information

You can find out more about your right to information and new ways to access NSW government information on the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) website at www.oic.nsw.gov.au.

Enquiries relating to your application or access to information generally, may be directed to Ms Bernadette Woolacott (02) 9843 0123.