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GIPA

Obtaining information from the Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust

The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) replaced the Freedom of Information Act 1989 on 1 July 2010. The GIPA Act introduces a new right-to-information system. This gives you the right to be given access to information you ask for unless there is an overriding public interest against its release. It addresses personal and non-personal information held by government.

There are four ways in which the Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust makes its information available under the GIPA Act:

  1. Mandatory Disclosure

  2. Proactive Release

  3. Informal release

  4. Formal release

Mandatory disclosure

The Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust is required to provide the following open access information free of charge:

  • Agency Information Guide

  • Policy documents 

  • Information formally released under the GIPA Act (disclosure log of formal access applications - these are maintained by the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage) 

  • Government contracts register for contracts valued at $150,000 or more

  • Information about the Trust contained in any document tabled in Parliament by, or on behalf of, the Trust - other than any document tabled by order of either House of Parliament

  • The Trust’s record of open access information (if any) that it does not make publicly available on the basis of an overriding public interest against disclosure

  • A list of major assets (other than land holdings) - included in Annual Reports

  • The total number and value of properties disposed of during the previous financial year - to be included in Annual Reports from 2009-2010 

  • Guarantee of Service

  • Code of Ethical Conduct

Proactive release

The Trust will proactively release as much information as possible; however, sometimes this may not be possible, for instance if the information concerns another party’s affairs. You can ask what further information we will make available, in addition to the information already publicly accessible. Contact the Trust if you require further details.

Informal release

You can ask for specific information (including your personal information) on an informal basis. Contact the Trust if you require further details.

We will give you a decision as quickly as possible. If we can't provide a final decision within 20 working days, we will let you know when to expect a decision.

There is no right of review if you are not happy with an informal decision. If you make a formal application for the information, you will then have review rights.

Formal release

This is a last resort. You should first see what information is publicly available or will be made available. There may be public interest reasons why the information may not be released informally, or a third party may need to be consulted in relation to the release of their business or personal information, in which case a formal application should be lodged. 

More information

For more information on accessing information under the GIPA Act, including personal information, visit the OEH website or the Office of the Information Commissioner.