How to access information

Our website contains a wealth of regularly updated open access information, including:

• Codes, plans, policies and reports
• Registers and returns
• Agendas, business papers and minutes
• Planning and development documents (Note: All development applications prior to 1 July 2010 now require a Property Information Package application)
• Development Contributions Register

You can also refer to Council's Agency Information Guide which describes our organisation including our structure, functions, decisions and information held.

Proactive release information is information that Council chooses to make publicly available that is not open access information. This generally includes information that is of interest to the community, such as updates on a Council project or event, or information that Council frequently receives requests for.

Open Access information that Council does not publish on the website can be accessed by completing an Informal GIPA Request application. Council will allow access to this information unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure of the requested information.  

We aim to respond to requests as soon as possible; however response times will vary depending on the current levels of demand on our services and the type of information requested. 

Please note, even though an agency cannot be required to disclose government information pursuant to an informal request and cannot be required to consider an informal request for government information, Council is committed to providing access to government information as much as possible provided such access does not prejudice any other rights and there is no overriding public interest against such disclosure. Council relies on its resources to achieve this commitment, having in mind that the GIPA Act does not provide answers to questions, rather access to records and information. The time taken to finalise an informal request for information is reflective of the workload of the staff processing such requests.

Informal GIPA Request application

Council now provides a Residential Property Information Package as an alternative request to Formal access applications; these are managed by the Governance team and come at a cost to the applicant and involve statutory timeframes.

From 1 July 2026, a Property Information Package can be purchased relating to property information prior to 1 July 2010. This Package provides customers with access to relevant property records held by Council relating to a property. This may include approvals, permits, certificates, plans and other archived records where council records exist.

You should be aware that property requirements have changed over time as the NSW government requirements change. This means that at the time your residence was built, some approvals or consents may not have been necessary and therefore no records will exist.

These are the types of information that may be provided if the records exist in relation to the property:

See below additional Council resources prior to lodging a Property Information Request:

Access to other Council information, such as information of a personal or commercially sensitive nature, can be applied for by completing the Formal GIPA Request. This form will also be required if you request access to a large volume of information*. 

Formal access applications must:

• be in writing using the Formal GIPA application form
• indicate that the request is made under the GIPA Act
• be accompanied by a $30 application fee
• provide a response to all questions on the form
• provide sufficient detail to enable us to identify the information requested.

The GIPA Act states that where no consultation or record retrieval is required, Council has up to 20 business days to process the application. If the information requires archival retrieval and/or access to personal information of third parties, Council has 30-35 business days to process the application.

Please note that some applications will incur processing costs. This will depend on the nature of the request and the volume of records identified. Please refer to Council’s Fees and Charges for more information. 

*Some information, such as plans and reports submitted with development applications belongs to third parties and is therefore subject of copyright laws. Copies of this information will not be provided to members of the public unless applicants have the consent of the copyright owner.  

Complete a Formal GIPA Request

If you're not satisfied with our decision, you may request a review of any reviewable decision under the GIPA Act by one of the following methods:

1. Request an internal review by another officer of Council who is no less senior than the officer who made the original decision. You'll need to complete the Internal Review form and pay the $40 application fee.
   
   
2. Request an external review by the Information and Privacy Commission (IPC). You'll need to contact the IPC directly for more information:
   Phone: 1800 472 679
   Website: www.ipc.nsw.gov.au
3. Request an external review by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). You'll need to contact NCAT directly for more information:

Phone: 1300 006 228
Website: www.ncat.nsw.gov.au

Information released in response to a formal access request may be of interest to other members of the public. In such cases, Council will record details in the disclosure log.

Information listed in the disclosure log can be accessed by contacting the Governance team:

Phone: (02) 4993 4100
Email: governance@cessnock.nsw.gov.au

We aim to ensure all requests to access our information are processed in a timely manner, and always in accordance with:

• Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009
• Local Government Act 1993
• Copyright Act 1987 (Cth)

In addition, we must comply with:

• the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act) which protects personal information and the privacy of individuals. In accordance with the PPIP Act and other legislation concerning public access to information, we have developed a Privacy Management Plan
• Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 which protects personal and health information

This applies to NSW agencies only and not individuals.

• Agencies may request access to Council-held CCTV footage by completing the approved Inter-Agency CCTV Request Form.
• Requests must include sufficient details (such as date, time, location and purpose) and demonstrate lawful authority. All applications are assessed to ensure they comply with privacy and legal requirements before any footage is released.

Inter-Agency CCTV Request Form

If you're unable to locate the information you need on our website, please contact our customer service team who will advise whether the requested information:

• is open access information that is already available and how you can access the information
• can be made available as part of a proactive release of information
• can be disclosed to you through informal release
• requires a formal access application