Accessing departmental information
The department is committed to providing the community with greater access to departmental information, unless it is contrary to the public interest.
There are a number of ways you can access information.
1. Search our websites
Departmental information is published across a number of departmental and Queensland Government websites.
Search the Queensland Government websites
2. Publication scheme
The publication scheme describes and categorises information routinely made available from the department. It describes and categorises information by category: About us; Our services; Our finances; Our priorities; Our decisions; Our policies; Our lists.
3. Public register
The department maintains a public register of records related to the regulation of environmentally relevant activities (including resource activities), in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
To access public register records, we recommend that you:
- search the Public Register Portal for access to a range of online records
- learn where other records may be available online
- if you cannot locate a record of interest, submit a public register information request.
There is no cost associated with accessing public register information.
The public register is just one way that you can access information held by the department. Information that is not included on the public register may still be accessed through other options listed on this page.
4. Environmental searches
Environmental searches allow you to order a paid property (lot-on-plan) search for: Coastal development approval search (tidal works); Certificate of Affect (Queensland Heritage Register); Contaminated Land Search (Environmental Management and Contaminated Land Registers).
5. Administrative access
Some of the department’s information may be accessed without having to lodge a Right to Information application. The information available through administrative access includes:
- certain types of non-personal information devoid of sensitivity and confidentiality
- an individual’s own information but not that of another person, unless consent has been provided.
Where a document contains the personal or commercial information of more than one person, the information will only be accessible through administrative access when all parties have given prior written consent.
View a copy of the department’s Administrative Release Policy and Procedure.
6. Right to Information
Right to Information is the Queensland Government’s commitment to giving the community greater access to information, unless on balance it is contrary to the public interest to provide that information. It aims to make more information available, provide equal access to information across all sectors of the community, and provide appropriate protection for individuals' privacy.
Learn more about submitting a Right to Information request.