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Access to Council information

As a member of the public, you have the right to access certain government information.

As a member of the public, you have the right to access certain government information.

Devonport City Council is committed to the following principles regarding public access to documents and information:

  • Open and transparent government
  • Consideration of the overriding public interest in relation to access requests
  • Proactive disclosure and dissemination of information
  • Respect for the rights and privacy of individuals
  • Respect for the commercial value of information and copyright provisions.

The Right to Information Act 2009 commenced on 1 July 2010 which provided a legally enforceable right to members of the public in accordance with this Act, to obtain information contained in the records of the Government and public authorities.

Section 3 defines the object of the Right to Information Act 2009.

(1) The object of this Act is to improve democratic government in Tasmania –

(a) by increasing the accountability of the executive to the people of Tasmania; and

(b) by increasing the ability of the people of Tasmania to participate in their governance; and

(c) by acknowledging that information collected by public authorities is collected for and on behalf of the people of Tasmania and is the property of the State.

(2) This object is to be pursued by giving members of the public the right to obtain information held by public authorities and Ministers.

(3) This object is also to be pursued by giving members of the public the right to obtain information about the operations of Government.

(4) It is the intention of Parliament –

(a) that this Act be interpreted so as to further the object set out in subsection (1); and

(b) that discretions conferred by this Act be exercised so as to facilitate and promote, promptly and at the lowest reasonable cost, the provision of the maximum amount of official information.

The Devonport City Council provides information to the public through proactive disclosure. This information is available via our Website under the Your Council tab and includes Annual Reports, Annual Plans, Strategic Plans, Annual Fees and Charges, Estimates, Council By-Laws and Policies.

If you cannot find the information you require the following options below may be of assistance

If the information is not freely available we will assist you to make an application for an assessed disclosure by completing the application form below.

Section 13(2) of the Right to Information Act 2009 details the application process for assessed disclosure of information.

Please address your applications to:

Right to Information Officer
Devonport City Council
PO Box 604, DEVONPORT TAS 7310

Applications are to be accompanied by the application fee.  This fee is 25 fee units, which is currently $44.50 for the 2023/24 financial year, and is indexed annually

You may apply to have the fee waived in the following circumstances:

  • you are in financial hardship – please provide evidence to support your receipt of Centrelink or Veterans Affairs payments;
  • you are a Member of Parliament and the application is in connection with your official duty;
  • you are able to show that the information sought is intended to be used for a purpose that is of general public interest or benefit; or
  • you are a journalist acting in connection with your professional duties.

Make sure you have looked for the information you require before you make formal application, because if the information is otherwise available, your application may be refused without the return of your application fee.

An Officer will then assess your application against the Right to Information Act 2009 and let you know the outcome of that process in writing. If the application or part of the application is refused, then the reasons for the refusal to provide the information must be provided as part of the decision, together with details on the right to see a review of the decision. Some information on reviews by the Ombudsman can be found on the Office of the Ombudsman’s website.

Related Resources - Document Downloads

Right to Information Form - 2023-24