Access to Information [GIPA]

Your rights to access Council information are provided in the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act). The Act commenced on 1 July 2010 and replaced the Freedom of Information Act 1989 (NSW) and section 12 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW).

Release of information by Council under the GIPA Act will be determined by the public interest test, as provided by section 13 of the Act. You can find out more about right to information, the public interest test and the ways to access government information under the GIPA Act on the Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) website at www.ipc.nsw.gov.au The IPC is an independent statutory authority responsible for overseeing the provisions of the GIPA Act. Please note the IPC does not and is unable to provide legal advice to stakeholders.

Agency Information Guide (PDF 24.4MB)

Armidale Regional Council Disclosure Log (PDF 31.6KB)

Search this website to see if the information you are after is already published on this website

If the information is not on this website?
There are four ways in which government information is available under the GIPA Act:

1. Mandatory release: Certain information, referred to as open access information, must be published on the agency's website, free of charge.
2. Proactive release: Beyond mandatory release, agencies are encouraged (and authorised) to release as much government information as possible.
3. Informal request: Agencies are encouraged to informally release information, by excusing the need for a formal application (and fee) to be submitted
4. Formal application:

This is the last resort if information is not accessible in any of the above three ways. Decisions made in response to formal applications can be reviewed. 

Formal request application form

Lodge an Informal Application

Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 INFORMATION ACCESS APPLICATION

1. Information

About this form
You may use this form to apply to Council for Information under Schedule 1 of the Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2009.
Note: In accordance with the Armidale Regional Council Customer Service Charter informal access applications may take up to 10 working days to be finalised, and some complex applications may take additional time beyond 10 days. Council will advise the applicant should this be the case. 
How to complete this form
1.    Ensure that all fields have been completed correctly.
2.     Please note that fields on this form marked with an * are mandatory

2. Applicant Details
3. Property Details
4. Fees and Charges
There is no application fee for an Information Access Request under Schedule 1, Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2009. However, fees may be payable for copying of documents as set out in Council’s schedule of Fees and Charges – The charges listed below are for black & white copies only. Colour copies will incur additional costs.
Fees and charges
5. Accessing information
Accessing Information
6. Details of Request
Details of Request

Note: Schedule 1 Part 2 Section 3(2) Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2009 access to internal configuration of residential developments is not permitted under open access. Due to copyright legislation Council is unable to provide you with a copy of plans from third parties. 

7. Privacy and Personal Information Protection Notice

Purpose of Collection: For formal applications under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.

Intended Recipients: Council staff and public access under Schedule 1 of the Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2009

Supply: A Formal Access application is voluntary however a completed application is required for delivery and management of GIPA Applications

Storage: Council’s adopted Records Management Systems and Archives.

General information about the GIPA Act is available by calling the Office of the Information Commissioner on freecall 1800 INFOCOM (1800 463 626) or at its website: www.oic.nsw.gov.au
8. Signature of Applicant

Please type your signature

Please sign here