The public may obtain access to information as follows:

• by searching the Council's website to see if it is already available
• by contacting Council and requesting the information. Council will advise whether the information requested:
• is mandatory release information that is readily available and where and how to get the information.
• should be made available as part of a proactive release of information.
• can be disclosed through an informal release, for example where no third party personal information is involved.
• requires a formal access application, for example because consultation with a third party is required.
• To make an informal request for access to information under GIPA Act Council may require the completion of an "Informal Access to Information Request" form. No fee is required for an "Informal Access" application. Please contact Council on 02 6740 2100.

To make a formal request for access to information under GIPA Act, the Formal Access to Information Request Form should be completed. The Formal Application fee is $30.00 and processing charges may be applicable (there is no GST in relation to these charges). An acknowledgement of such application will be provided by Council within five working days. Download the form below.

If a fee for photocopies of documents provided under the GIPA Act is payable, it will be listed in Council's adopted Fees and Charges and is GST inclusive.

Council will publish mandatory release, information on its website unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure or do so would impose an unreasonable additional cost on Council. In respect of the latter the Council will make the information freely available in another format eg hard copy at the Council Administration Office. The open access information is:

Council's policy documents;

• a Publication Guide with information about the council's structure and functions, and listing the type of information that is publicly available;
• a disclosure log of formal access applications where in council's opinion the information released may be of interest to other members of the public
• a register of contracts worth more than $150,000 that councils have with private sector bodies
• a record of open access information that council does not make publicly available on the basis of an overriding public interest against disclosure
• In addition schedule 5 of the GIPA Act requires that certain documents held by council, are to be made publicly available for inspection, free of charge. The public is entitled to inspect these documents either on Council's website or at the offices of the Council during ordinary office hours or at any other place
• as determined by the Council. Any current and previous documents of this type may be inspected by the public free of charge. Copies can be supplied for reasonable copying charges.

View the GIPA Publication Guide here.

These documents are:

1. Information about Council

• The model code of conduct prescribed under section 440(1) of the Local Government Act
• Council's adopted Code of Conduct
• Code of Meeting Practice
• Annual Report
• Annual Financial Reports
• Auditor's Report
• Management Plan
• Diversity Committee Plan
• Policy concerning the Payment of Expenses and Provision of Facilities to the Mayor and Councillors
• Annual Reports of Bodies Exercising Functions Delegated by Council (e.g. Section 355/377 Committees)
• Any Codes referred to in the Local Government Act
• Returns of the Interests of Councillors, Designated Persons and Delegates
• Agendas, Business Papers and Minutes of Council/Committee meetings (except meetings that are closed to the public)Division of Local Government, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet Representative Reports presented at a meeting of Council
• Land Register, to obtain a copy of Council's Land Register please contact Council's Administration Office on (02) 6740 2100
• Register of Investment
• Register of Delegations
• Register of Graffiti Removal Work
• Register of current Declarations of Disclosures of Political Donations
• Register of Voting on Planning Matter
• Register of Naming of Public Infrastructure

2. Plans and Policies

• Local Policies adopted by Council concerning approvals and orders
• Plans of Management for Community Land
• Environmental Planning Instruments, Development Control Plans and Contribution Plans

3. Information about Development Applications

Development Applications and any associated documents received in relation to a proposed development, eg:

• Home Warranty Insurance documents
• Construction Certificates
• Occupation Certificates
• Structural Certification Documents
• Town Planner Reports
• Submissions received on Development Applications
• Heritage Consultant Reports
• Tree Inspections Consultant Reports
• Acoustic Consultant Reports
• Land Contamination Consultant Reports
• Records of decisions on Development Applications including decisions on appeals
• Records describing the general nature of documents that Council decides to exclude from public view after application of public interest test considerations

4. Approvals, Orders and Other Documents

• Applications for approvals under part 7 of the LGA
• Applications for approvals under any other Act and any associated documents received
• Records of approvals granted or refused, any variation from Council Policies with reasons for the variation, and decisions made on appeals concerning approvals
• Orders given under Part 2 of Chapter 7 of the LGA, and any reasons given under section 136 of the LGA
• Orders given under the Authority of any other Act
• Records of Building Certificates under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
• Plans of land proposed to be compulsorily acquired by Council
• Compulsory Acquisition Notices
• Leases and Licenses for use of Public Land classified as Community Land
• Copies of documents provided are given for information purposes only and are provided by Council to meet its requirements under relevant legislation. Copyright laws still apply to each document. The copyright-owner's consent is required if any part of the document is used for any other purpose.

In addition, from time to time Council will make as much other information as possible publicly available in an appropriate manner, including on their website. The information will be available free of charge or at the lowest reasonable cost. Such other information includes frequently requested information or information of public interest that has been released as a result of other requests.

Council will endeavour to release other information in response to an informal request, subject to any reasonable conditions as Council thinks fit to impose. However, notwithstanding the lodgement of an informal application, Council may require a formal access application to be submitted where the information sought:

• is of a sensitive nature that requires careful weighing of the considerations in favour of and against disclosure, or
• contains personal or confidential information about a third party that requires consultation, or
• would involve an unreasonable amount of time and resources to produce.

Disclosure of Interest Returns

Council’s Returns of Interest of Councillors and Designated Persons is available as open access information in accordance with the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA).
This document may be inspected, free of charge, at Council’s Administration Building. Please contact Council on 02 6740 2100 to arrange an inspection.

POLICY REGISTER

POLICY LISTING

Gunnedah Shire Council's statutory meetings are open to the public as part of Council's commitment to transparent decision making and engagement with our community.

The rules for conducting meetings are dictated by:

• the Local Government Act 2009
• the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021
• Gunnedah Shire Council's Code of Meeting Practice

Council Meeting Dates & Agendas

Agendas for each meeting type are generally published as follows:

• Planning Environment and Development – Friday – Close of Business (COB) prior to meeting.
• Ordinary Meeting – Friday – (COB) prior to meeting.

To view the full agenda - click on the link to each meeting event and "Download Packet" located at the top left of the page. Once the meeting has finished, the agenda, reports, attachments, minutes and recordings can be viewed under 'Most Recent Events'.

To be notified when agendas are published, navigate to 'My Subscriptions' below, click on 'Manage' and create an account. You will receive email notifications each time your preferred agenda is published online.

Live Streaming and Recording

Council meetings are livestreamed and recorded. To view a livestreamed meeting, open the meeting link marked as 'LIVE' in the field below.

To view a recording, open the meeting link beside the camera icon in the 'Media' column below.

For more information on Council Meetings and Meeting Procedures, please view the Council Meeting Procedures page.

The Fees and Charges Register outlines fees for all user-pay services, including plant hire charges, swimming pool entry fees, saleyard selling fees, Civic Centre fees, recreational fees, development application fees  and building certificate fees.

Fees and charges are put on public exhibition for comment each year before being adopted by Council.

The current Fees and Charges Schedule are available below.

Director Infrastructure Services
   02 6740 2100
council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Director Community and Development
   02 6740 2120
andrewjohns@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au 

GoCo Executive Manager
   02 6740 2240
council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

General Manager
   02 6740 2115
ericgroth@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au 

Rob Hooke
Councillor
   02 6740 2100
   0439 722 612
robhooke@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au