Formal access requests
If you’re seeking information from Murray River Council which is not published on our website, or is personal information of other members of the public, you can make a Formal Access Application to access this information.
You can make this type of application where release of information is not freely available due to considerations such as commercial confidence, legal privilege, security concerns and protection of privacy.
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.
Making a formal access application
An application must be made on the Formal Access Application form, or alternately it can be submitted in writing but must:
- clearly indicate it is an access application made under the GIPA Act
- state your postal address in Australia
- provide phone and email details
- be accompanied by the application fee, or a copy of the receipt and
- provide sufficient detail to enable the Right to Information Officer to identify the requested information
Submitting a formal request application
Complete the Formal Access Application form, along with the applicable fee using one of the following:
- by post, addressed to our Right to Information Officer, OR
- in person at one of our offices.
What happens next
Council's Right to Information Officer must decide as to whether they can release the information or not. They will give you notice of the decision within 20 working days after receiving the application. The decision period can be extended by up to 10-15 working days if consultation with a third party is required and/or records are required to be retrieved from the archive. If this is the case, you will be notified.
Fees and charges
A Formal Access Application is subject to an application fee which covers the making of the application, together with the first hour of processing time. Council may impose a further processing charge for dealing with a Formal Access Application in excess of two hours.
Rates can be found in our Fees and Charges document here.
Processing charge discount
You may be entitled to a 50% reduction in the processing charge if you are suffering financial hardship. If the reduction in processing charge applies, the application fee will pay for the first two hours of processing time, instead of one. Conditions apply.
You may also be entitled to a 50% reduction in the processing charge if the information you applied for is deemed to be of special benefit to the public generally. If the reduction in processing charge applies, the application fee will pay for the first two hours of processing time. Conditions apply.
Waiver of charges for personal information
If you make a Formal Access Application for your personal information, we cannot impose any processing charge for the first 20 hours of processing time.
Review of decision
If you are not satisfied with the decision about your application, you have a right to ask for a review. For instance, you may have been refused access to the whole or part of a document, or perhaps you are concerned that your personal or business information will be disclosed to someone else. You have the option for applying for an Internal Review.
An Internal Review Application must be lodged with Council within 20 working days of receiving the decision, must be in writing, and accompanied by the application fee. Lodgement must be via post or in person, as for a Formal Access Application, above. Please contact council for a copy of this application form.
A person more senior to the original decision-maker will review your application and inform you of the review decision within 15 working days, including reasons as to why the original decision is affirmed, modified or overturned. If further consultation is required, the review period may be extended by up to 10 working days.
External Review
You can also request an external review by sending a review application to the following:
Information and Privacy Commission NSW
NCAT Administrative Decisions Tribunal