Public documents

You can access a number of council documents without any application. These public documents are often policies, plans, registers, strategies. A list of public documents is provided within our  Freedom of Information Information Statement.

Most public documents can be found under the Council Documents page on our website. Many public documents are also made available for viewing or purchase at Council’s Civic Centre.

Copies of notices & renewals

If you’ve already received a notice, renewal or correspondence and would like another copy, most of the time you can have it re-issued without charge by making an enquiry through customer service.

Development application records

Viewing or receiving documents related to your own Development Application (e.g. plans, layout, decision notifications) can be accessed through the online Development Assessment enquiry website.

Property ownership information (extract of rates register)

A public register of rateable properties (including ownership details) can be viewed at Council’s Civic Centre. Electronic extracts of the rate register can be purchased for a fee per property.

Data and statistics

Access general Council data and statistics online. If you can’t find what you're after, it can usually be supplied free of charge within a faster timeframe than an FOI request. To enquire, contact customer service to be put in contact with the relevant department.

Dog attack information

Council investigates dog attack or dog harassment incidents and responds as soon as possible after the incident is reported. Visit our dog attack webpage for further information.

Documents exempt from public release

Some documents, or parts of documents, may be exempt from public release under provisions of the Act.

Common examples of exempt documents include those which if released:

• Would include unreasonable disclosure of the personal affairs of another person
• Could endanger personal or public safety and security
• Could affect a judicial process or law enforcement
• Would breach provisions in another Act (e.g. Copyright)
• Would have an adverse effect on the commercial, professional or business affairs of another person or agency

Details of restricted and exempt documents can be found within the Freedom of Information Act.

Fees and charges

FOI applications must be submitted along with an application fee of $40.75. Additional charges may be levied as per the Freedom of Information Fees and Charges to process your request.

If the cost of dealing with your application is likely to exceed the application fee, you may be asked to make an advance deposit payment.

If you're financially disadvantaged you can apply for a waiver of fees. You must include evidence of financial disadvantage with your application (e.g. a photocopy of a concession card).

You can talk to one of our Accredited FOI Officers about what you need before lodging a request by calling us on 8408 1111 or downloading a Freedom of Information Application Form.

Once completed, the application form can be returned to Council via:

• Post: PO Box 1, Woodville SA 5011
• Email: council@charlessturt.sa.gov.au
• In person: Civic Centre, 72 Woodville Road, Woodville

Step 1: Acknowledgement

Once your application has been received, you will receive an acknowledgement. If additional processing fees are required, you will be contacted before our FOI officers can proceed. Applications will be dealt with as soon as practicable (within 30 days). In certain circumstances we may need to extend the timeframe for your application. We will notify you within 20 days if an extension is necessary, and the reasons why.

Step 2: Consultation

Some documents require us to consult with other parties before we can release the information. This may include consulting with any other parties listed in your application, or any person or organisation who could be affected by release of the information. During the consultation period, your name and scope of request can be released to other parties.

Step 3: Response & decision

You'll receive a written decision, called a Notice of Determination. If your request is refused, or part of it is refused, the notice will explain why this has happened. It will also include information about your rights of review and appeal if you are unhappy with the decision.

Our Accredited FOI Officers will contact you in writing to inform you of the decision regarding your FOI application. If you’re granted access to a document, we’ll make arrangements with you to give you that access.

Access to documents may be deferred until consultation has taken place with other parties and cannot be provided until the appeal period (30 days) has expired. If you’re refused access to a document, given partial access, or refused amendment of a document, you’ll be provided with written reasons for the decision, as well as information about your rights of appeal.

If you are dissatisfied with our decision about your FOI application you can ask for an internal review. You must lodge this request with us within the appeal period - 30 days after you’ve been notified of the decision to grant/refuse access to documents and must include your fee of $40.75 with your request.

If you're financially disadvantaged you can apply for a waiver of fees. You must include evidence of financial disadvantage with your application (e.g. a photocopy of a concession card).

If you are still dissatisfied after the internal review you may consider an external review of the determination by the Ombudsman of South Australia.

For further information please see Freedom of Information - Your Rights to Review and Appeal.