Freedom of Information
Information Publication Scheme
The Australian Heritage Council (the AHC) is an agency subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) and therefore is required to comply with the Information Publication Scheme established pursuant to Part 2 of the FOI Act.
In particular, section 8(2) of the FOI Act imposes an obligation on the AHC to make the following information available to members of the public:
- an agency plan which describes how the AHC proposes to comply with the Information Publication Scheme requirements
- details of the AHC's structure
- details of the agency's functions, including its decision making powers and other powers affecting members of the public
- details of appointments of officers (also available in the Australian Heritage Council Act 2003)
- details of arrangements for members of the public to comment on specific policy proposals for which the AHC is responsible
- information in documents to which the agency routinely gives access in response to requests made under Part II of the FOI Act
- information that the AHC routinely provides to the Parliament in response to requests and orders from the Parliament
- details of an officer who can be contacted about access to the AHC's information or documents under the FOI Act, and
- the AHC's operational information.
The AHC publishes the documents required to be published under the Information Publication Scheme on its website and/or the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities’ (DSEWPaC) website.
Agency Plan
Section 8(1) of the FOI Act imposes an obligation on the AHC to publish an agency plan which describes how the AHC proposes to comply with the Information Publication Scheme requirements. The agency plan is required to set out the following information:
- the information the AHC proposes to publish under the Information Publication Scheme;
- how, and to whom, the AHC proposes to publish the information, and
- other steps the AHC will take to comply with the Information Publication Scheme requirements.
Download the Agency Plan
What we do
The AHC is a body of heritage experts established by the Australian Heritage Council Act 2003 . The Council replaced the Australian Heritage Commission as the Australian Government's independent expert advisory body on heritage matters when the new Commonwealth heritage system was introduced in 2004 under amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The AHC plays a key role in assessment, advice and policy formulation and support of major heritage programs. Its main responsibilities are to:
- assess places for the National Heritage List and the Commonwealth Heritage List;
- nominate places for inclusion in the National Heritage List or Commonwealth Heritage List;
- promote the identification, assessment, conservation and monitoring of heritage; and
- advise the Minister on various heritage matters including the preparation and amendment of heritage strategies and management plans for Commonwealth areas and agencies.
Reports
Information published under this heading includes:
- AHC activities are reported in the DSEWPaC annual reports
- AHC members
Consultation arrangements
The AHC routinely publishes information on its website regarding consultation opportunities, including information about how and to whom comments may be submitted.
Information on consultation opportunities and invitations for public comment are covered under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and notified on the DSEWPaC public notifications internet page.
Consultation discussion papers are available on the AHC publication page.
Freedom of Information (including routinely requested information and disclosure log)
Information about how to make a FOI request and the address, telephone number and email address for a contact officer who can be contacted about access to the AHC's information and documents can be obtained on the department’s Freedom of Information page. In addition, information that has been released in response to a request for access to information made under the FOI Act can be obtained from the department's disclosure log.
Operational information
The AHC publishes on its website a wide range of information used by the AHC to assist in the exercise of its functions and powers. This information is available on the AHC publication page.
Queries relating to operational information may be directed to the Community Information Unit on 1800 803 772 or by email at ciu@environment.gov.au.
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