Make an informal request to access information

Step 1.Search our website

We recommend searching the website for the information you are after first as there is a chance the information you are looking for has already been published.

Please visit the publicly available information section of our website to see if the information you are after is already available.

If you are requesting documents relating to Development Applications, please ensure you have searched through Council's DA Tracker prior to lodging your request.

Step 2.Plan ahead 

Response to informal access applications is within 28 days from the date we receive it, so please allow time for this when applying.

Response times will vary depending on the current levels of demand on our services and the type of information being requested, if it takes longer than the 28 days, Council staff will provide a reason for the delay and estimate a time for a response.

Step 3.Be aware of the costs involved

There is no application fee for an informal access application, but there is an hourly processing fee for the provision of information under informal GIPA application (where the information requested is Development information from 2010 and prior) charged at $60 per hour.

Council may charge a fee for providing copies of documentation made available under GIPAA. Charges are listed in Council’s adopted fees and charges and are GST inclusive. For more information on fees, please view our page on applying for access to Council documents.

Please note: Information will not be provided to the applicant until payment has been received - if charges are applicable these will be raised via an invoice issued by Council.

Step 4.Read our Public Access to Council Information Policy

Step 5.Read the Privacy Protection Notification

By continuing to submit an informal access to information request, you are providing consent to the following notice:

In accordance with S8 of GIPPA Act Council cannot be required to disclose information pursuant to an informal request and cannot be required to consider an information request. Council can impose reasonable conditions with respect to the release of information and can decide by what means the information is to be released. Public access to a record may be facilitated by deleting any information if the inclusion of that information would otherwise result in there being an overriding public interest against disclosure of the record.

The information provided on your application is being collected by Shoalhaven City Council and supports your request for access to personal information from a public register. The declaration will be used by Council staff for the purpose of determining your request. The provision of this information is voluntary however, without it Council may not be able to process your request. You may apply to Council for access to this information at any time.

The Council will use your personal information for the purpose for which it was collected and may use it as is necessary for the exercise of other council functions where it is satisfied that the personal information is reasonably necessary for the exercise of such functions.

For further information on how Shoalhaven City Council manages personal information, please refer to our Privacy Management Plan.

Step 1.You will receive a confirmation email about your submission

Make sure you check your spam folder if it doesn't appear in your inbox.

Step 2.We will process your application 

Our staff will be in contact with you as we commence processing your application request.

Response to informal applications is within 28 days of receipt by Council. Response times will vary depending on the current levels of demand on our services and the type of information being requested, if it takes longer than the 28 days, Council staff will provide a reason for the delay and estimate a time for a response.

We may impose any reasonable conditions on the supply of this information. For example, where information is subject to copyright protection, the copyright owners written consent is required in order to gain copies of these documents.

Step 3.We will make a decision on your application

Council's Information and Privacy Officer will make a final determination on the release of any document not already listed under Open Access and advise the applicant accordingly.

If the Information and Privacy Officer determines that the document is not available informally and that access is to be denied, the Information and Privacy Officer will advise the applicant in writing of the reasons for refusal and that if they wish, they can seek to obtain access to the specified document(s) under the provisions of a formal access application.

Step 4.You will be sent an invoice for payment (if applicable)

Please note information will not be provided until payment has been received. If charges are applicable these will be raised via an invoice issued by Council.

Step 5.The requested information will be released to you

Once we receive payment, if your application has been successful the information will be provided to you.