GIPA Applications

The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 ('GIPA Act') is the New South Wales Government's approach to giving the community greater access to information.

The GIPA Act aims to make more information available, provide equal access to information across all sectors of the community and provide appropriate protection for the privacy of individuals.

Open Access Information

Under the GIPA Act, Council is required to make certain information available as open access information. Further information about open access information is provided in Council’s Agency Information Guide. Open access information is generally available on Council’s website.

If you require access to open access information that is not on Council’s website, please complete an Informal Request for Information form as detailed below. Please note that any open access information requested via an Informal Request for Information form will be handled in accordance with the open access information provisions of the GIPA Act.

A list of the open access information that Council does not generally make publicly available on the basis of an overriding public interest against disclosure under the GIPA Act is available here. 

Informal Applications

Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, Council may decide by what means information will be released - if at all - in response to an informal request for access to information. The Act does not impose a timeframe to respond to informal requests for information.

To request any information that relates to a development application please download a copy of Council's Informal Request for Information - Development Applications.

To request information that is not related to a development application but is still classed as open access information, please download a copy of Council's Informal Request for Information form.

Formal Applications

Formal requests for access to information (referred to in the GIPA Act as an 'access application') must be made in the approved form and be accompanied by the application fee. Sufficient detail must be provided to enable Council to identify the information requested.

For a Formal Application to be valid, it must be in writing, specify it is made under the GIPA Act, provide an Australian postal address, be accompanied by the $30 fee and provide sufficient detail to enable Council to identify the information requested.

Under the GIPA Act, Council has 20 working days to determine how to deal with a Formal Application.

To lodge a Formal Application with Council, please download a copy of Council's Formal Request for Information form.

Completed application forms should be emailed to mail@camden.nsw.gov.au or posted to Camden Council, PO Box 183, CAMDEN NSW 2570

Formal Application Fees & Charges

The application fee for a Formal Application is $30. Cheques and money orders must be made payable to 'Camden Council'.

In addition to the application fee, a Formal Application may also incur the following charges:

  • processing charges of $30/hour - the processing charge covers the time spent dealing efficiently with the application.

  • an Advance Deposit - Council may request an Advance Deposit, advising of the estimated processing charge and giving at least 20 working days for payment to be made. Advance Deposits can be made for up to 50% of the total estimated processing charge.

Applicants may be entitled to a 50% reduction in processing charges on the grounds of financial hardship or if the information being applied for is of special benefit to the public generally. The Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2009 states that the financial hardship reduction will apply if the applicant provides evidence that he or she:

  • is the holder of a Pensioner Concession card issued by the Commonwealth that is in force.
  • is a full-time student.
  • is a non-profit organisation (including a person applying for or on behalf of a not-for-profit organisation).