Freedom of information
The Freedom of Information Act 1991 ensures your legal right to access documents held by Council, promoting transparency and accountability in local government.
Before applying make sure you've read through the frequently asked questions below, or have exhausted other methods to find information through our Council documents.
Before submitting a formal FOI application, we encourage you to speak with a Freedom of Information Officer. This initial conversation helps:
- Clarify the scope of your request
- Identify whether the information is already publicly available
- Explore alternative ways to access the documents you need
- Potentially reduce or eliminate fees by narrowing the scope
Contact our FOI Officer using the online form or call 8397 7444 to begin the process.
Frequently asked questions
Documents in the possession of Council that are not available to the public will need an application to gain access.
It is best to first check if the document you wish to gain access to is a public document. You will be surprised how many of Council’s documents are already available to you.
Public documents
Many council documents are accessible without any application. These public documents are often policies, plans, registers and strategies. A list of public documents is provided in our Freedom of Information - Information Statement.
Most public documents can be found by searching Council documents. Many public documents are also made available for viewing or purchase at Council’s Civic Centre.
Copies of notices and renewals
If you’ve already received a notice, renewal or correspondence and would like another copy, it can often be re-issued without charge. Make an enquiry through customer service.
Development application records
Viewing or receiving documents related to your own development application can be accessed via Track a development application. This includes plans, layout and decision notifications.
Property ownership information - extract of rates register
A public register of rateable properties can be viewed at Council’s Civic Centre. This includes ownership details.
Electronic extracts of the rate register can be purchased for a fee per property.
Data and statistics
Access general Council data and statistics online. If you can't find what you're after, it can usually be supplied free of charge within a faster timeframe than an FOI request. Make an enquiry through customer service. You will be put in contact with the relevant department.
Information exempt from public release
Some information, documents or parts of documents may be exempt from public release under provisions of the Act.
Common examples of exempt documents include those which if released:
Would include unreasonable disclosure of the personal affairs of another person
Could endanger personal or public safety and security
Could affect a judicial process or law enforcement
Would breach provisions in another Act - eg Copyright
Would have an adverse effect on the commercial, professional or business affairs of another person or agency.
Details of restricted and exempt documents can be found within the Freedom of Information Act.
Application fee
Initial fee to lodge an application - $44.70.
Additional processing fees
There may be additional fees following the application in accordance with the South Australian Freedom of Information Fees and Charges Regulations.
The more specific you can make your application, the less likely Council will need to charge for access. To help narrow the scope of your application, consider specific date ranges, names and details.
Fees are calculated based on volume of documents requested, time spent accessing the documents and the costs of providing documents. This includes cost of printing, transcribing and storage devices.
- Additional time on application per 15 minutes - $16.90
- Photocopying documents per page - $0.30
- Written transcript of words recorded or contained in the document per page - $10
- Access to be given in the form of a copy of a photograph, x-ray, video tape, computer tape or computer disk – price on application
- Internal review - $44.70
Are there any concessions?
If you experiencing financial hardship, as a concession card holder, your fees will be waived with proof required at the time of application.
If you aren't a concession card holder but face financial hardship due to the fees, they may be waived, reduced, or deferred. A Council Freedom of Information Officer can help reduce the scope or arrange a payment plan before seeking a waiver.
Step 1: Discussion
Before submitting a formal application, we recommend speaking with a Freedom of Information (FOI) Officer. This conversation helps to define your request and explore available options.
You can contact our FOI Officer using the online form or call 8397 7444 to begin the process.
If a formal application is required, the FOI Officer will guide you through the next steps. The application fee is $43.30, and additional processing fees may apply depending on the scope of your request.
Step 2: Acknowledgement
Once your application has been received, you will receive an acknowledgement. If additional processing fees are required, you will be contacted before our FOI officers can proceed. Applications will be dealt with as soon as practicable, within 30 days. In certain circumstances we may need to extend the timeframe for your application. We will notify you within 20 days if an extension is necessary and the reasons why.
Step 3: Consultation
Some documents require us to consult with other parties before we can release the information. This may include consulting with any other parties listed in your application, or any person or organisation who could be affected by release of the information. During the consultation period, your name and scope of request can be released to other parties.
Step 4: Response & decision
You will receive a written decision, called a Notice of Determination. If your request is refused, or part of it is refused, the notice will explain why this has happened. It will also include information about your rights of review and appeal if you are unhappy with the decision.
Further enquiries can be made to the Freedom of Information Officer using the online form or call 8397 7444.
For more information about Freedom of Information and the FOI Act, visit the State Records website.