How to access information
Administrative access
Before entering into the application process, you may consider whether documents may be available through other means, such as the Publication Scheme, this website or by contacting the relevant department within Council.
You can access information using any of the following methods:
- Publication Scheme - the purpose of this is to present a consolidated, user-friendly, comprehensive overview of Council's organisation, its relationship to the community and the various avenues for public access to our administrative and political processes. Our Publication Scheme helps you find information which is routinely published by Council. In most cases, this information is available online and can be accessed directly from the Publication Scheme.
- Disclosure Log - you will find details of non-personal information released under the RTI Act.
- Other areas of our website - if you can't find what you're looking for on our website, try using our search function.
- Contact us - if the information you seek is not readily available, we can help to determine if Council holds the information and can release it. You may be required to submit a RTI Access Application to access the information you seek.
Contact Council's RTI Unit on 1300 883 699 or by email for assistance to determine how to access information or make an RTI Access Application.
Making a formal application for access to documents
If you are unable to obtain information via other means (e.g. by requesting it informally or by a property search), you may wish to make a formal application for access to documents.
Lodging an application
Before making a formal application, it is recommended that you contact Council's RTI team to discuss your application.
It is recommended that applications are lodged using the following form:
RTI Application Form
A valid RTI application can also be lodged in writing, by:
If you require assistance lodging a form, or need to make payment of the application fee, contact Council's call centre on 1300 883 699.
Valid application
A valid RTI application must:
- be in writing; and
- give sufficient information concerning the document to enable an officer to identify the document; and
- provide an address where notices may be sent (email or postal address); and
- payment of application fee if applicable; and
- where an application requests personal information of the applicant, be accompanied by evidence of identity.
It is recommended that applications under the RTI Act are submitted to Council using the following RTI application form.
Application fees and charges
Application fee
Application fee of $57.65 is payable where you are applying for one or more documents that do not contain your personal information. Applications for documents containing your personal information do not attract an application fee.
The application fee if payable cannot be waived under any circumstances.
Processing and access charges
After an application is received, processing charges may also be payable at a rate of $8.95 per 15 minutes, where processing will exceed 5 hours. Processing charges do not apply to documents that contain your personal information.
Access charges are payable if photocopies of documents are requested to be provided.
Processing timeframes
Once a valid application has been received, we must provide a decision within 25 business days.
This timeframe can be extended for the following purposes:
- third party consultation.
- if a notice is issued.
- by agreement where it has been identified that additional time is required to consider the application.
Third party consultation
If an application contains documents pertaining to a third party (e.g. another person involved in a complaint or dispute), the decision maker may consult with that third party to obtain their views prior to the release of that information.
This process will increase the processing time by an additional 10 days changing the original due date of the application.
Third parties consulted, who object to the release of the information are advised of the final decision, before information is released to the applicant. Third parties can request a review of the decision, if they do not agree.
Review rights
If you are not satisfied with a decision, you have the right to ask for a review.
- An internal review is undertaken by an Council officer more senior than the original decision maker, and a decision is made within 20 business days.
- An external review application is made to the Office of the Information Commissioner.