Public Access to Information

Council handles all applications for access to Council information and documents under the Government Information Public Access Act 2009 (the GIPA Act).

Examples of Council records that you can access include:

  • Development applications;
  • Building certificates;
  • Historical records.

You can find out more about your right to information and ways to gain access to Council information at the Information and Privacy Commission website.

There are two ways to access Council information, through an Informal access to information application, or a Formal access to information application (Note: Formal Access to Information Applications incur a $30 application fee and possible processing charges). Read below to ensure you choose the correct application.

Informal Access to Information Application Form

The Informal Access to Information Application is the EASIEST and FASTEST way to access Council information and there is no application fee.

Examples of Council records available include all documents relating to Development Applications, such as consents, building certificates, building Plans and historical records, to name a few.

IMPORTANT: If your request for information is for Adjoining Owner Details for Fencing Purposes, you must also complete a Statutory Declaration form and submit it with your application. The Statutory declaration must be signed by a JP, Police or Solicitor.

Use this form if information is not available to you through an Informal Access to Information Application process.

A Formal Access to Information Application is required if you are seeking a large number of documents or extensive searches, or you are seeking personal or business information about a third party who must be consulted before the information can be released.

Formal Access applications will take up to 20 days or more to complete and will incur a $30 application fee and possible processing charges.

Council can refuse a request for information if there is an overriding public interest against the disclosure of information sought, or if the information involves the unreasonable use of Council's resources.

Council will explain the reasons an access application has been refused. If you are not satisfied with a refusal, you may apply for an internal review by Council's Reviewing Officer. If you are not satisfied with the internal review, you may seek to have the matter reviewed by the Office of the Information Commissioner or by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).

You may wish to apply for an internal review of a decision Liverpool City Council has made under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009. You must lodge your application with us within 20 working days after the notice of decision was given to you.

You can make your request for Internal Review online here.

The application fee for an internal review is $40.

Council’s open access information includes:

Under the GIPA Act, Council must have an agency information guide which sets out Council’s structure and functions and how you can access Council information.

Access to Council Information Guide

The GIPA Act requires Council to record and publish certain information about contracts worth more than $150,000 with private sector bodies.

Government Contracts Register GIPA Act

Council's Delegations Register is in an Excel format which, because of its size, cannot be downloaded to Council's website. However, copies of individual delegations can be made available by contacting Council's Access to Information Officer on 1300 36 2170.

Council's disclosure log records details about information that has already been released in response to formal applications for information which may be of interest to other members of the public (unless the applicant objects to its recording).

Disclosure Log

In accordance with section 6(5) of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act), Liverpool City Council must keep a record of any open access information that it does not make publicly available on the basis that there is an overriding public interest against disclosure.

View the register

The Liverpool City Council Land Register is available here.

Mayor, Councillors, the Chief Executive Officer, Council senior staff and IHAP panel members are considered designated staff and under section 4.21 of the Council Code of Conduct, must file annual returns in regard to their pecuniary interests.

Returns are tabled annually at a Council meeting, usually in October. These returns are open access information available to the public to inspect.

List of Redacted Annual Written Returns for Councillors and Designated Persons 2021-22 financial year

List of Redacted Pecuniary Interest Returns for Councillors and designated persons 2020-21 financial year

List of Redacted Pecuniary Interest Returns for Councillors and designated persons 2019-20 financial year

If you wish to view or obtain a copy of these returns, please contact Council's Access to Information Officer on 1300 36 2170 or submit an informal request for information to Council.

Under section 375A of the Local Government Act 1993, the Chief Executive Officer must record which Councillors vote for and against each Council planning decision and make this information publicly available. Every decision recorded in the register must describe the individual matter being determined and how each Councillor voted.

Download the Register of Planning Matters

The Local Government Act 1993 requires that political donations to candidates and parties for elections in NSW be declared and registered. To obtain access to declarations made on behalf of all candidates for elections to Liverpool City Council, please visit the NSW Electoral Commission website.

Council's register of graffiti removal work records the work carried out by Council under the Graffiti Control Act 2008. You can view the Register here.

Section 625 of the Local Government Act 1993 states that Council may invest money not required for any other purpose and that it must be invested in a form notified by order of the Minister for Local Government. Council invests its temporary surplus funds, as required by Council's Investment Policy, Investment Strategy and State Government guidelines. Council staff provides a monthly report of investments to Council.

Council's Investment Register can be accessed here.