Strathfield Council encourages members of the public to apply for access to Council documents through s.12 of the Local Government Act in the first instance, as there is no charge for viewing of documents.
Members of the public can also access information through the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act [FOI] 1989. However, charges may be applied for applying and retrieving information.
Lodging applications for FOI
Applicants need to provide sufficient information to enable the correct document/s to be identified, though agencies are obliged to help you with your application
If you are seeking documents relating to your personal affairs Council may require proof of your identity.
If you are seeking a document(s) on behalf of another person relating to their personal affairs, Council may ask you to submit a consent form signed by that person.
A request will be dealt with as soon as practicable (and, in any case, within 21 days) after it is received.
An agency, on receiving an FOI application, may assist the applicant to direct the application to another agency or transfer the application to another agency as appropriate.
Forms of Access
Various forms of access are available depending on the form in which the information is stored. They include:
- Inspection of documents
- Copy of documents
- Hearing and/or viewing audio and/or video tapes
- Transcript of recorded document
- Transcript of words recorded in shorthand or encoded form
- Produce document from computerised information
Where Council is unable to grant access in the form you requested, you may be given access in a different form.
Application Fees and Processing Charges
The approved application fee is either $20 or $30. A cheque/money order/cash for the appropriate amount must be forwarded to Council with the request for access.
Processing charges may also apply for dealing with the application. For personal requests no processing fees will be charged for the first 20 hours. For non-personal requests processing charges of $30 will apply from the very first hour. A schedule of fees and charges is available from Strathfield Council.
A 50% reduction in fees will be granted to holders of Pensioner Health Benefit Cards or those with equivalent incomes and to children. Non-profit organisations may also be able to demonstrate financial hardship and receive a similar reduction. In addition, where a demonstrated public interest is involved a similar reduction may apply.
Where significant correction of a personal record(s) results from an FOI request, provided the error was not due to a person's fault, a 100% refund of all fees and charges will be granted.
Refusal to process requests
Sections 22, 25 & 26 of the Freedom of Information Act explain the circumstances under which an agency may refuse or defer access to information.
For further information
Further information on Freedom of Information can be obtained from the NSW Premiers Office.
