On 1 July 2010 the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 or GIPAA came into effect, replacing the Freedom of Information Act 1989 and Sections 12 and 13 of the Local Government Act 1993.

The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 or GIPAA:

• creates new rights to information that are designed to meet community expectations of more open and transparent government;
• encourages government agencies to proactively release government information.

Great Lakes Council and local government in general are covered by the requirements of this new legislation.

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 or by calling 1800 INFOCOM (1800 463 626).

Council currently publishes a range of information on this website that is required under the GIPAA.  It will seek to ensure that legitimate requests for access to information are handled promptly and that members of the public are able to access information, subject to consideration of the public interest.  In doing so Council recognises that it must take into account the right to privacy of others, and the need to restrict access to legal and commercially sensitive information.

Where practicable, Council will deal with requests to inspect documents in accordance with the GIPAA free of charge but a reasonable photocopying fee may be payable under the Act and for access to versions of documents that are neither current nor immediately preceding versions of the document and are not reasonably accessible.  All charges are detailed in Council's Schedule of Fees and Charges.

Formal applications lodged under the GIPAA will be processed in accordance with the Act's requirements and a determination made to release the documents or refuse access on the basis of the relevant considerations outlined within the Act.  Charges for formal applications are in accordance with the GIPAA fees and charges and include a $30 application fee. In some circumstances processing charges may also be applied.

Publication Guide - Guide to information freely available.

Making an Application - Informal and formal requests for information under GIPAA.

Disclosure Log - Details of Council information already released under GIPAA.

Government Contracts Register - Details of contracts required to be disclosed under GIPAA.

Personal Information - Council has obligations to protect information and the privacy of individuals.

Other Open Access Information - Details other information available under open access guidelines.