Right to information

The RTI Act covers documents of a non-personal nature that cannot be accessed from another source, for example Council's internet, for example:

• Works maintenance reports
• Complaints
• Diaries

• Access and amendment applications for personal and non-personal information are now dealt with under the Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI).
• Applications do not need to be on an approved form, however, this form may be used:  Right to Information Access Application Form
• Applications must be in writing, providing a specific description of the information required.
• An agent acting on behalf of an applicant is generally not required to provide evidence of their identity.
• Evidence of authorisation to act on behalf of the applicant is required.
• Provide contact details, including an address to which notices can be sent (email or postal).
• Pay the RTI application fee of $57.65
• Lodge your application in person at Council's Customer Service Centres or by post to Cairns Regional Council, PO Box 359 Cairns QLD 4870 or email to RTI_IP@cairns.qld.gov.au.

For more information on lodging an application or for any enquiries regarding the Right to Information application process please contact Council's RTI Officer at RTI_IP@cairns.qld.gov.au or phone 07 4044 3114.

Note: Additional charges may apply for access to information and/or if an application takes longer than 5 hours to process. If you wish to access Queensland Government agency information, you will need to apply online via the RTI website.

Additional resources

The Queensland Government's RTI website provides detailed information about Queensland’s Right to Information and Information Privacy legislation.

The Office of the Information Commissioner's website contains access and amendment information sheets.

The Information Privacy Act 2009 (the IP Act) contains two sets of privacy principles that regulate how personal information is collected, secured, used and disclosed by Queensland public sector agencies.

There are 11 Information Privacy Principles (IPPs) for Queensland public sector agencies, and 9 National Privacy Principles (NPPs) for Queensland Health. Both the IPPs and NPPs are adapted from the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988. The IP Act sets out a limited number of situations where the privacy principles will not apply, such as for law enforcement purposes.

The IP Act also provides a formal mechanism for a person to apply to access or amend their own personal information. This mechanism, which is set out in Chapter 3 of the IP Act, is intended to be a last resort. Agencies are encouraged to provide informal (administrative) access and amendment options to people wherever practicable.

The IP Act sets out the ways in which Council and Queensland government agencies manage your personal information. You can access your personal information and advise us about any changes or amendments to your personal information.

• Submit your application using the RTI IP Access Application Form . No fees apply.
• Provide proof of your identify within 10 business days of lodging your application.
• Lodge your application in person at Council's Customer Services centres, by mail  to Cairns Regional Council by post (PO Box 359, Cairns QLD 4870) or by email RTI_IP@cairns.qld.gov.au.

For more information on lodging an application or for any enquiries regarding the Right to Information application process please contact Council's RTI Coordinator at RTI_IP@cairns.qld.gov.au or phone 07 4044 3114.

Note: If you are making an IP application to a Queensland Government department only, you can apply online at the Queensland Government's Right to Information website.

Additional resources

The Queensland Government's Right to Information website provides detailed information about Queensland’s Right to Information and Information Privacy legislation.

The Office of the Information Commissioner's website contains access and amendment information sheets

The disclosure log is a record of Right to Information (RTI) Applications with Cairns Regional Council. The disclosure log identifies documents that have been released under the RTI act of a non-personal nature.

Once documents have been released they are available for access without going through the RTI process. For copies of these documents please contact Council's RTI Co-ordinator by phoning 07 4044 3114.

• You can view our Right to Information Disclosure Logs at the bottom of this page.

The RTI Act requires Council to publish a list of information on its website that is routinely available to residents, known as a publications scheme. The information in the publication scheme is grouped into seven classes:

About Us - (who we are and what we do).  Agency information, location and contacts, constitutional and legal governance and historical information.

• About Cairns Regional Council
• About the Cairns region
• Contact Council
• Mayor, Councillors and Divisions
• Making a complaint

Our Services - (the services we offer).  A description of the services offered by the agency, including advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases.

• News and Public Notices
• Publications and reports
• Online services and payments

Our Finances - (what we spend and how we spend it).  Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts.

• Budgets and financial documents
• Fees and charges
• Rates
• Annual Reports
• Tendering to Council

Our Priorities - (What our priorities are and how we are doing). Strategy and performance information, plans assessments, inspections and reviews.

• Corporate plan
• Major projects
• Community information
• Economic development
• Environment and sustainability
• Facilities and recreation

Our Decisions - (how we make decisions).  Policy proposals and decisions, decision making processes, internal criteria and procedures and consultations.

• Council meetings and minutes
• Community engagement and public consultation
• Petition guidelines

Our Policies - (our policies & procedures).  Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.

• Council General Policies
• Local Laws, regulations and permits
• Code of Conduct for Councillors

Our Lists - (lists & registers).  Information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers relating to the functions of the agency.

• Forms and permits
• Privacy statement
• Document List - fees

Charges for information

There is no charge for examining any publication scheme information contained on our website. However, there may be a charge if a large volume of printed material is required. You will be told about any photocopying charges at the time of your request.

The cover price will be charged for any publications produced by the council for sale. Charges will be kept under review and there is no intention to charge for material that has previously been available for free.