Access to Information
Access to information held by Hornsby Council is provided in accordance with the Government Information (Public Access) (GIPA) Act 2009.
Under GIPA, certain information is required to be made publicly available on Council’s website. This is referred to as Mandatory Release of Open Access Information and includes information such as Council's:
- Policies and Codes
- Annual Reports
- Plans of Management
- Business Papers / Minutes of Council Meetings
- Development Applications, etc.
Council has developed an Information Checklist of these documents, along with details of where to access them. More information will be included in this checklist as it becomes available. View Information Checklist - 62kb
In addition, Council may choose to place additional information on its website. This is referred to as Authorised Proactive Release of Information. It is Council’s intent to make available on its website as much information as possible that would be of interest to the general public.
Informal and formal applications to access information
Informal Application to Access Information
If you are seeking information which you are unable to find on our website, you may request access to that information by completing an informal application.
Formal Application to Access Information
In some cases, eg if the information you seek contains personal information and requires consultation with a third party, or the material is sensitive in nature and requires careful balancing of public interest considerations, it may be necessary for you to complete a formal application.
Lodgement of a Formal Access to Information Application form requires the payment of a $30 application fee, as well as a $30 per hour processing fee. The lodgement of a Formal Access to Information Application also gives you a right to a review of the decision made by Council.
How to submit an application
Council's preferred way of receiving applications is through Online Services Portal, however you can also download and complete a form.
Submitting a request online
To submit a request online, you can proceed as a registered or as an unregistered user. If you are already a registered user simply return to the Online Services Portal webpage and login and select the option "Request for Information (GIPA)" and follow the prompts.
Being a registered user confers some advantages in terms of making payments and entering your user details.
To register, go to Online Services Portal and click on the Register Here link. The registration process takes about 5 minutes to complete and you will usually receive your login details within one hour. Once you have registered and received your login details, simply return to Online Services Portal and login as a registered user – see above.
To proceed as an unregistered user simply use the link: https://epathway.hornsby.councilsonline.com.au/ePathway/hornsby/web/licensing
/externalrequestbroker.aspx?module=ELCLODG&class=MISC&type=GIPA
But remember to include your contact details or your application can not be processed as Council will have no way of contacting you.
Submitting application forms
Download and complete the following form - Access to Information Application - 232kb.
All applications to access information should be marked attention to the Access to Information Officer and:
- emailed to hsc@hornsby.nsw.gov.au, or
- faxed to 9847 6888, or
- posted to PO Box 37, Hornsby NSW 1630
More information
Any questions regarding access to Council’s information should be directed to our Access to Information Officer on 9847 6027.
Further information about your right to information is available from the Office of the Information Commission (OIC) www.oic.nsw.gov.au.
Copyright Disclaimer
Council provides access to information in accordance with the requirements of the Government Information (Public Access) Act. Copyright laws still apply to these documents. Should you have any questions relating to this matter, please contact Council's Access to Information Officer on 9847 6027.