The Information and Privacy Commission (IPC) has again upheld a complaint about Central Coast Council.
It’s the third case this year that has been made public.
The IPC looked at three issues relating to a resident complaining about not being able to get any information from Council using the Government Information Public Access (GIPA) Act.
The IPC looked at: why it took more than two years for any information to be released in relation to two GIPA applications; poor communication from Council; and Council staff allegedly claiming that requests had been completed four times, when they hadn’t been.
In all three instances, the IPC ruled that Council had failed to meet the provisions of the GIPA Act or failed to communicate.
“In their response to me, Council advised that they received multiple requests that were related via their portal in relation to your request,” the IPC said.
“By way of managing communication, matters were closed to facilitate communication through one channel (email) and to prevent duplicate replies.
“I am not satisfied that the Council communicated these decisions to you, and you believed your communications were being ignored.
“For these reasons, in finalising your complaint, I have formed the view that the issues raised by your complaint are justified.
“I hope the information in this letter is of assistance in addressing the issues raised by your complaint.”
The IPC said it provided a copy of the ruling to Council so that it was aware of the outcome of the complaint and so it could consider how to address the concerns that the complaint had highlighted.
“I trust that Council will consider their commitment to good customer service, how they respond to GIPA access applications in a timely manner and how they communicate with applicants,” IPC said.
“A foundation of open communication and actions that Council had taken, or intended to take in response to your requests would have provided assurance.”
This is third ruling to against Council to become public in recent weeks.
Resident Kevin Brooks also went to the IPC when Council failed to provide information to him under the Government Information Public Access (GIPA) Act.
His complaints were justified, the IPC said.
And local historian Merril Jackson, well known for her work at Gosford’s Poppy Park and Remembrance Day celebrations, also attempted to get information from Council through a GIPA request.
Eventually she too went to IPC and her complaints were justified, the IPC said.
But despite the rulings, in all three cases, the complainants still didn’t get all the information they had asked for.
Merilyn Vale
