Redacting Plans and Documents
The Privacy and Data Protection Act (2014) (PDP Act) requires that where documents and information are published online, private and identifying information must not be shown.
Planning Applications that are subject to public notice will be published on Council’s website and must comply with the PDP Act. Therefore, any personal information contained in application documents (including plans and reports) must be redacted.
To comply with these legislative requirements there are two (2) options available for applicants:
- Undertake redaction of plans, documents, and application materials yourself, and Council will review it for a fee of $50.
- Submit un-redacted documents as part of your application materials, and we will redact them for you (in the same way we have previously).
The cost of this service will be:
- $250 for cover letters, titles and submitted plans; and
- $50 per document for any additional supporting documents or professional reports provided with the application (e.g. arborist report, car parking demand assessment etc.).
If document/s are incorrectly redacted the relevant service fee/s will be applied.
Fees noted are applicable at 24/25 financial year, refer to the fee schedule.
For further details on the requirements of limiting disclosure of personal information please see PPN74: Making planning documents available to the public.
Applicant Redaction Guide
To limit the extent of redaction required it is recommended that the preparation of plans and documents avoid the unnecessary inclusion of personal information. An example of unnecessary personal information is: ‘John Smith’s House’ in the title block.
All personal information must be redacted from all plans and documents. Personal information means any information that can be used to identify an individual. For example, personal information includes (but is not limited to):
- personal names;
- personal addresses;
- personal phone numbers;
- personal e-mail addresses;
- signatures; and
- owner information.
Professional organisations and company information do not need to be redacted, including generic company emails and contact numbers.
Two (2) versions of the plans/documents, an unredacted version for assessment and a redacted version for advertising must be submitted to Council when:
- The application is lodged;
- In response to a Section 54 Request for Further Information; and
- If the application is formally amended under Section 50 or Section 57A.
Document Checklist
Application forms will always be redacted by Council.
|
Plan/Document Type
|
Unredacted
Version Provided
|
Redacted
Version Provided
|
|
Copy of Title
Including the Register Search Statement (i.e. face sheet of title), Plan of Subdivision and any Section 173 Agreements and Restrictive Covenants
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
Cover Letter
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
Development Plans
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
All Supporting Reports
(i.e. Planning Report, Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Sustainable Design Assessment)
|
YES
|
YES
|
Example Redacted Copy of Title
Example Redacted Document
Example Redacted Development Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
What if a company name includes a person’s name, does the company name need to be redacted too?
No, company names, even when they are the name of a person (John Smith Pty Ltd) do not need to be redacted.
People’s names are included on the Copy of Title or on a Section 173 Agreement, do these need to be redacted?
Yes, any personal information, such as people’s names, signatures, or other identifying information, must be redacted.
If I choose to redact documents myself and Council find a mistake in my redacting, what happens next?
Council will undertake the redaction on your behalf and charge a fee of $50 per document where errors in redaction are found. Council will contact you for payment of any additional redaction fees required.
If I submit further information or amend my application do these documents need to be redacted too?
Yes, any submitted plans or documents to Council as part of a Planning Application must be redacted in accordance with this guide.