GIPA vs Confidentiality: Sandercock v The Hills

July 4, 2026.Reading time less than 1 minute.

This case explains that calling a document “commercial-in-confidence” isn’t enough. The GIPA Act requires councils to prove why.

You don’t have a mod – Mount Druitt Inn v Blacktown City Council

July 4, 2026.Reading time 4 minutes.

The recent decision in Mount Druitt Inn Pty Limited v Blacktown City Council [2026] NSWLEC 1390 reinforces an important legal principle that is often overlooked: before anyone gets to the planning merits, the consent authority (or the Court) must first have the legal power to consider the modification at all.

Liability and Knowledge – ORANGE CITY COUNCIL v WILLIS

April 17, 2026.Reading time less than 1 minute.

The Court of Appeal has confirmed that once a council knows about an obvious, low-cost hazard, failing to fix it will expose it to liability – and statutory protections won’t step in to help.

Section 4.15 of the EPA Act – The Most Misunderstood Parts

March 9, 2026.Reading time 13 minutes.

Section 4.15 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 is one of the most frequently cited (and misunderstood) provisions in the NSW planning system.

Deferred Commencement Conditions: When Can They Be Used?

March 7, 2026.Reading time 9 minutes.

They are useful, but they are also frequently misunderstood.

Repeat GIPA Applications – Irvine v Temora Shire Council

March 6, 2026.Reading time less than 1 minute.

This decision shows when a council can refuse to deal with a repeat GIPA application where the same information has already been considered.

When a GIPA Request Is Too Burdensome – Efremov v NSW Health Administration Corporation

February 27, 2026.Reading time less than 1 minute.

This case explains how agencies should assess whether dealing with a GIPA request would require an unreasonable and substantial diversion of resources.

Legal Professional Privilege Under GIPA: Curtis v Penrith City Council

February 20, 2026.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Legal professional privilege remains a powerful reason to refuse access under the GIPA Act, including where the advice comes from in-house council lawyers.

Reasonable Searches and Privilege – McNeill v Clarence Valley Council

February 6, 2026.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Two common GIPA issues are considered – what counts as reasonable searches for documents, and how legal professional privilege applies.

NSW Planning Act Reform – January 2026

January 31, 2026.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Access a concise summary of the planning reforms introduced in January 2026.