From 1 October 2008, anyone lodging or commenting on a development application, Local Environmental Plan (LEP) or Development Control Plan (DCP) will need to publicly disclose any donations or gifts that are relevant to the proposal. This new law has been introduced by the state government to improve the transparency of the planning system.

The disclosure requirements apply at the time the application is lodged with any Council or the NSW government, and also apply to individuals or entities lodging submissions in objection or support of the proposal.  It is the responsibility of every person to ensure that they comply with any obligations under the new disclosure requirements.

Further information is available on the NSW Government Department of Planning website, in the section Development proposals and donations or gifts: know the rules.

Political Donations and Gifts Disclosure Statements are required by statute. The form in which the information is collected accords with the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. All Political Donations and Gifts Disclosure Statements will be public documents and all information contained in them will be available to the public and government agencies.  You can find the Political Donations disclosure form on our website, in the “Forms and Applications” section. For more information, contact Council on 4221 6111.

Register of Disclosures of Political Donations and/or gifts

Council is required to retain the disclosures made by applicants and people making submissions to development and planning proposals. Council must also make the disclosures available to the public. If you require access to the disclosures, the register is available to view at Council’s Administration Centre Level 2 Reception or by clicking on the following link Register of Disclosures of Political Donations and/or gifts.