Accessing Information
Our website provides a wealth of information to our community and stakeholders. This includes policies, plans and reports, meeting agendas and minutes, development application information and decisions, and registers. We are provide this information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act).
If you can't find the information you need on our website, you can request it from us. You can first make an informal request by contacting our Corporate Services Manager on 1300 676 243 or by sending an email to mail@murrumbidgee.nsw.gov.au. We may be able to release the information without requiring a formal access application, as per Section 8 of the GIPA Act.
If the information you need can't be obtained through an informal request, you can submit a formal access application to us. This may be necessary if the information requested is of a large volume or involves personal or business information about third parties that must be consulted before the information can be released.
When we receive your valid access application, we will let you know of our decision within 20 working days. Please note that this timeframe may be extended under Section 57(2) if we need to consult with third parties or retrieve information from archives. There may also be processing charges as per our Fees & Charges.
If your application is declined, you have the right to request a review under Section 80 of the GIPA Act. More information on your review rights is available in our factsheet.
Making an informal access request
Under section 8 of the GIPA Act we have the authority to release information without the need for a formal access application.
To access information informally, please contact our Corporate Services Manager on 1300 676 243 or send an email to mail@murrumbidgee.nsw.gov.au.
Please note the GIPA Act does not specify a timeframe for informal requests to be decided or by what means the information will be released in response to an informal request (s8(4)).
Making a formal access application
If information cannot be accessed through any of the above avenues, you can submit a formal access application to us at council. We may do this if the information requested:
- is of a large volume that would involve an unreasonable diversion of our resources through research and retrieval
- involves personal or business information about third parties that must be consulted before the information can be released
On receipt of a valid access application, we will give the applicant notice of our decision within 20 working days, although this time can be extended under section 57(2) to consult with third parties or retrieve information from archives. Processing charges may apply as per our Fees & Charges.
Applicants who have the application declined, have the ability to request a review under section 80 of the GIPA Act. This factsheet outlines available review rights under the GIPA Act.
Formal access applications will be published in a disclosure log (unless there is an overriding public interest). The disclosure log contains non-personal information only.
Where can I get more information about the right to information?
Go to http:www.ipc.nsw.gov.au
Email ipcinfo@ipc.nsw.gov.au
Mail GPO Box 7011, Sydney NSW 2001
Visit Level 11, 1 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Call 1800 INFOCOM (1800 463 626) between 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).