Accessing Council Information
This page explains the different ways that community members are able to use the provisions of the GIPA Act to access, or apply for, information.
How to get the information you want
- Search Council’s website to see if the information is already available
- Review Council’s Agency Information Guide(PDF, 225KB) or the information on this page to determine if the information is Open Access information
- If the information is not routinely available (that is not Open Access information) you may need to make an Informal Request Application or Formal Access Application.
Should you have any questions concerning Access to Information or to lodge your request, please email gipa@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au.
Open Access Information
Mandatory Release Open Access information
Under Section 18 of the GIPA Act, certain information is prescribed as Open Access information.
This information must be made available free of charge on Council's website, this includes:
In addition, the Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2018 (GIPA Regulation) specifies additional Open Access information which must be made freely available by Council. View this information.
Council has also outlined its Record of Open Access information that is not made available to the public on the basis of an overriding public interest against disclosure.
Proactive Release Open Access information
Council proactively makes a wide variety of other information available.
This includes:
You can also access Council's historic building and development application index cards from the 1940s to 1990s.
Informal Request Application
If the information you seek is not available on Council's website, then an Informal Request for Access to Information(PDF, 182KB) should be lodged.
You can also submit a request online using the below link.
GIPA Informal Application
This can also be undertaken by going to this page and then selecting 'Lodge an Application' and then Access to Information.
Information that may be applied for under Informal Release may include, for example:
- information that is not too complex to process;
- information that does not require significant processing time; or
- details of a complaint (excluding the complainant details).
You can submit a request for Neighbour/Adjoining Owner details(PDF, 97KB).
Information will be made available for free or at minimum charge, i.e. photocopying fees.
Further information on Council fees can be found at Council’s Schedule of Fees and Charges.
Formal Request Application
For information that is not available on Council’s website, or the method of access listed above, you can submit a formal access application by clicking on the link below.
GIPA Formal Application
A Formal Access application is a request for information where the information is of a type that includes:
- information that relates to the personal/business/commercial/financial interests of another party;
- information that must be consulted with a third party;
- confidential information;
- information that requires significant research and will require significant Council resources; or
- a complex scope
A Formal Access application for government information is not a valid access application unless it complies with the following requirements:
- It must be in writing to Council;
- It must clearly indicate that it is an access application made under the GIPA Act;
- It must be accompanied by the statutory application fee of $30.00;
- It must state the name of the applicant and a postal or email address as the address for correspondence in connection with the application; and
- It must include such information as is reasonably necessary to enable the government information applied for to be identified
Should you not be satisfied with the outcome of any Formal Access application, the GIPA Act allows for statutory rights to seek an internal review of the part or full decision. Download the Formal Request for Access Information(PDF, 124KB) for more information and to complete the form.
Copyright
Legal processes apply to the copying of documents under the Commonwealth Copyright Act 1968. There may be documents that cannot be copied and/or released without the consent of the copyright owner e.g. certain building plans, publications and consultants reports.
If Copyright consent cannot be obtained, ‘view only’ access will be provided to those particular documents.
Privacy
If you are applying for information as an individual, you may be providing Council with personal information (such as your name and address) within the meaning of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.
The supply of information is voluntary. If you do not provide all details requested, Council may be unable to process your application.
The details you provide are stored at Council Offices and are not made publicly available unless there is an overriding public interest to do so under the GIPA Act or as permitted by the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW).
Council is collecting this personal information from you in order to identify and process your application. You may make a request for access or amendment to personal and private information held by Council.
You may also make a request that Council suppress your personal and private information from being made publicly available.
Further information
You can find out more about right to information and privacy by:
See also the Information and Privacy Commission's Simplified guide for information access.