Accessing Information
Ipswich City Council (council) is committed to proactively releasing information, helping residents stay informed about decisions that affect them, and to ensure that their personal information is accurate. Council is committed to protecting an individual’s privacy and only releases information where it is authorised to do so.
Council routinely releases information through various mechanisms as outlined below.
Information relating to development applications and basic property information for the Ipswich City Council Local Government Area.
A record of previous right to information requests, and documents released under the Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld) (RTI Act) with the exception of requests for personal information. Information that has previously been requested can be provided administratively.
Ipswich City Council supports transparency and data accessibility by contributing approved public datasets to the Australian Government’s open data portal, data.gov.au. This provides broader access to information in line with national open data principles.
Property and Rates Searches
The Property and Rates Search is an on-line service for requesting Property Certificates for all land within the Ipswich City Council region.
This scheme describes and categorises routinely available information. Information is grouped and is accessible through seven categories:
The Transparency and Integrity Hub is an online platform that provides the community with access to the city’s finances and performance data, allowing greater scrutiny over how council spends ratepayers' money.
Administrative access (informal)
This mechanism provides an avenue for members of the public to request access to documents and information informally. Council will only withhold information where the law prohibits access to those documents or where your request is more suited to a formal application under the RTI Act. Information released administratively is considered non-sensitive material ie it does not identify an individual, it relates to processes or organisations rather than individuals and would not cause harm or breach privacy if disclosed. In some cases council may redact (blank out) some information before providing it to you, to protect an individual’s privacy or confidential information.
Council may refuse to deal with your request if it is unreasonable e.g. very large amounts of information are being requested, or you ask for information that is already available via other mechanisms, whether or not the access is subject to a fee or charge. Alternatively, council may refer you to complete a formal Right to Information application to access the information.
You can request access by applying in writing, in person or by telephone to the business area you believe holds the information.
If the information you are looking for cannot be located through one of the other options above, you have the right to make a formal application for access to documents that are in council’s possession or control; however, applications are intended to be a last resort. The information requested can relate to the business of council, or your personal information.
An access request under the RTI Act may attract fees and charges. This information, together with instructions on how to make your request is provided here.
Note: From 1 July 2025, Information Privacy Applications are managed under the Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld).
Amending personal information
If you believe that your personal information held by council is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete or misleading, you may request to have the information amended. Requests can be made to the business unit that holds the information.
You may also seek to make a formal request to amend your information by submitting an Information Privacy Personal Information Amendment Application Form. Refer RTI Access and Amendment Applications for further information.
Release of information authorised or required by law
If you are an officer of a government agency and operate under a law which authorises or requires the release of documents, or you are requesting release of information pursuant to another law or legal process, please contact the Governance Services Team via email: RightToInformation@ipswich.qld.gov.au
Refer to the Provision of Information for Legislative Purposes Policy(PDF, 445KB)
More information
Queensland Government: Right to information