Right to Information

International Access to Information Day – 28 September 2024

The 2024 UNESCO appointed theme for IAI Day is ‘Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector’.

IAI Day raises awareness of every individual's right of access to government-held information; and the public sector’s responsibility to release information if it is in the public interest to do so.

Mainstreaming access to information and participation in the public sector go hand-in-hand. When the community can access government-held information in a timely and efficient manner, it helps individuals and the wider community to stay informed, reduces misinformation and it empowers people to make decisions about matters affecting them.

Did you know Townsville City Council regularly releases information through several online portals including the Townsville Dashboards, Open Data Portal, Administrative Access Arrangements, and this website? Council also encourages residents to participate and have their say on a range of projects and initiatives in our community. Residents’ feedback contributes to shaping our city, and guide Council on decision making and planning for the future.

Visit the Office of the Information Commissioner Queensland website for more information on International Access to Information Day.

Townsville City Council collects and stores personal and general information about the region, properties, our services, projects, community interests, libraries, even animals. Documents held by us include paper files, microfiche, print-outs, computer records, files, visual material, CCTV and audio recordings.

The Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI Act) and the Information Privacy Act 2009 (IP Act) recognises that there should be an increased flow of information in the government’s possession to the community and encourages government to make as much information available while maintaining the appropriate levels of privacy and confidentiality.

Townsville City Council aims to make it easy for the public to access our information, maximise the amount of corporate information that is publicly available and is committed to openness and transparency. Council promotes proactive release of information and encourages Council workers to actively support activities to make corporate information available to the public in an easy to use, efficient, self-service manner and in accordance with the RTI Act and IP Act.

Townsville City Council is committed to providing access to information in Council’s possession or under the Council’s control unless on balance it is contrary to the public interest to provide that information.

Council routinely releases information through several portals including the Townsville Dashboards, Open Data, Administrative Access Arrangements and this website. Council encourages residents to explore these options prior to contacting us in relation to RTI and IP applications.

For further information please review Townsville City Council’s Right to Information Policy and Information Privacy Policy.