Agency Information Guide
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AGENCY INFORMATION GUIDE Prepared in accordance with the provisions of Section 20 of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 Document Number: D17/208727 Adopted: 21/12/2010, 26/07/2011, 28/08/2012, 24/09/2013, 26/03/2018 File: 39765E Produced By: Finance Corporate & Community Services Group Page 1 of 17 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. ABOUT US...........................................................................................................3 1.1 Snapshot ........................................................................................................3 1.2 History ............................................................................................................3 1.3 Elected Council...............................................................................................3 1.4 Organisational Structure.................................................................................4 1.5 Council’s Commitment to the Shoalhaven .....................................................6 1.6 Our Functions.................................................................................................7 2. HOW OUR FUNCTIONS AFFECT YOU..............................................................8 3. HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN OUR DECISION MAKING...........................9 3.1 Representation ...............................................................................................9 3.2 Personal Participation.....................................................................................9 3.3 Community Consultative Bodies...................................................................10 3.4 Community Engagement..............................................................................10 3.5 Development Process ..................................................................................11 4. OUR INFORMATION .........................................................................................11 4.1 Open Access Information .............................................................................11 a) Information about Council .........................................................................11 b) Plans and Policies.....................................................................................12 c) Information about Development Applications............................................12 d) Approvals, Orders and other Documents..................................................13 4.2 Policies .........................................................................................................13 4.3 Contracts Register........................................................................................13 4.4 Information Not Released.............................................................................13 5. HOW TO ACCESS OUR INFORMATION .........................................................14 5.1 Information Requests ...................................................................................14 5.2 Open Access ................................................................................................14 5.3 Proactive Release ........................................................................................14 5.4 Informal Release ..........................................................................................15 5.5 Formal Release ............................................................................................15 5.6 Fees and Charges........................................................................................15 5.7 Access Policy ...............................................................................................16 5.8 Copyright ......................................................................................................16 6. CONTACT DETAILS..........................................................................................16 6.1 Information Officer........................................................................................16 6.2 Council’s Contact Details..............................................................................16 6.3 Further Information.......................................................................................17 Page 2 of 17 Shoalhaven City Council – Information Guide 1. About Us 1.1 Snapshot The Shoalhaven City Council (Council) is a large local government authority situated on the South Coast of New South Wales within approximately two hours travelling time by car from both Sydney and Canberra. The Shoalhaven covers an area of 4,660 square kilometres and has a coastline of approximately 170 kilometres. Nearly 70% of the Shoalhaven is national park, state forest or vacant land. Council is responsible for all traditional local government services in 49 separate towns and villages and is also the responsible authority for water and wastewater. Council has two administrative offices. One located in Nowra, which is the major centre of the Shoalhaven. The other located in Ulladulla, which is the major centre in the south. 1.2 History The Municipality of Shoalhaven was proclaimed as the City of Shoalhaven by the Governor of New South Wales from 1 August 1979. From 30 June 1948 to 31 July 1979 Council was known as the Shire of Shoalhaven. Before this date, the area was governed by a number of councils including: Nowra Municipal Council Berry Municipal Council Broughton Vale Municipal Council Ulladulla Municipal Council Cambewarra Shire Council Clyde Shire Council 1.3 Elected Council Council is divided into three wards and is governed by a body of Councillors who are elected by the residents and ratepayers of the 9Shoalhaven. There are 13 Councillors elected across the three wards including a popularly elected Mayor. A current list of the Councillors can be accessed on Council’s website. Page 3 of 17 The role of the Councillors, as defined by section 232 of the Local Government Act 1993 is as follows: to be an active and contributing member of the governing body, to make considered and well informed decisions as a member of the governing body, to participate in the development of the integrated planning and reporting framework, to represent the collective interests of residents, ratepayers and the local community, to facilitate communication between the local community and the governing body, to uphold and represent accurately the policies and decisions of the governing body, to make all reasonable efforts to acquire and maintain the skills necessary to perform the role of a councillor. The role of the mayor is outlined at Section 226 of the Local Government Act, as follows: to be the leader of the council and a leader in the local community, to advance community cohesion and promote civic awareness, to be the principal member and spokesperson of the governing body, including representing the views of the council as to its local priorities, to exercise, in cases of necessity, the policy-making functions of the governing body of the council between meetings of the council, to preside at meetings of the council, to ensure that meetings of the council are conducted efficiently, effectively and in accordance with this Act, to ensure the timely development and adoption of the strategic plans, programs and policies of the council, to promote the effective and consistent implementation of the strategic plans, programs and policies of the council, to promote partnerships between the council and key stakeholders, to advise, consult with and provide strategic direction to the general manager in relation to the implementation of the strategic plans and policies of the council, in conjunction with the general manager, to ensure adequate opportunities and mechanisms for engagement between the council and the local community, to carry out the civic and ceremonial functions of the mayoral office, to represent the council on regional organisations and at inter- governmental forums at regional, State and Commonwealth level, in consultation with the councillors, to lead performance appraisals of the general manager, to exercise any other functions of the council that the council determines. 1.4 Organisational Structure The principal officer of the Council is the General Manager. The General Manager is responsible for the efficient operation of the Council's organisation and for ensuring the implementation of Council decisions. The General Manager’s functions as defined by section 338 of the Local Government Act 1993 are as follows: Page 4 of 17 to conduct the day-to-day management of the council in accordance with the strategic plans, programs, strategies and policies of the council, to implement, without undue delay, lawful decisions of the council, to advise the mayor and the governing body on the development and implementation of the strategic plans, programs, strategies and policies of the council, to advise the mayor and the governing body on the appropriate form of community consultation on the strategic plans, programs, strategies and policies of the council and other matters related to the council, to prepare, in consultation with the mayor and the governing body, the council’s community strategic plan, community engagement strategy, resourcing strategy, delivery program, operational plan and annual report, to ensure that the mayor and other councillors are given timely information and advice and the administrative and professional support necessary to effectively discharge their functions, to exercise any of the functions