Complaints Management

We are committed to providing a level of customer service that does not attract complaints, however, we acknowledge the right of affected persons to provide feedback, both positive and negative, on our services and/or to lodge a complaint about a decision or other action we take.

  • A complaint is not a customer request for service, a request for information or an inquiry seeking clarification of an issue.

    A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction by an affected person about an administrative action of council, which in the judgement of the receiving officer, is of sufficient substance to warrant action under the Administrative Action Process.

    1. is about an administrative action of a local government, including the following, for example:
      1. a decision, or a failure to make a decision, including a failure to provide a written statement of reasons for a decision;
      2. an act, or a failure to do an act;
      3. the formulation of a proposal or intention;
      4. the making of a recommendation; and
    2. is made by an affected person.

    An affected person is a person who is apparently directly affected by an administrative action of a local government.

    In deciding if a complaint is an administrative action complaint, it is irrelevant:

    1. how quickly the complaint was resolved; or
    2. to which area of a local government the complaint was made; or
    3. whether the complaint was a written or verbal complaint; or
    4. whether or not the complaint was made anonymously.

  • An Administrative Action Complaints Process has been developed to manage complaints efficiently, effectively, objectively and fairly.

    The Administrative Action Complaints Process does not apply to the following matters:

    • competitive neutrality complaints
    • councillor conduct including the mayor
    • staff conduct or a breach of the Code of Conduct for Council Officers;
    • Public interest disclosures
    • Anti-discrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity Policy or industrial matters including the Certified Agreement.

    These matters are dealt with under other formal legislative or Council processes.

    For more information, contact us.

  • Contact us to lodge a formal complaint.

    Administrative Action Complaints Form

    All written complaints must be addressed to:

    The Chief Executive Officer
    Gympie Regional Council
    PO Box 155
    Gympie Qld 4570

    Complaints may be made in writing, via email or by telephone.

    Complainants are strongly advised to provide their contact details so that additional information can be sought to fully investigate a matter as required.

    This further allows the complainant to be kept informed of council’s decision on the complaint matter, and the reasons for that decision.

    In accordance with the legislation, council is obliged to accept anonymous complaints.

    Council provides every reasonable assistance to customers who for whatever reasons may have difficulty in understanding the complaint process, or who have difficulties in being able to lodge a formal complaint with council via the appropriate means.

    Should you require further assistance in this regard please contact us.

  • Administrative Action Complaints are dealt with in accordance with council’s process.

    All complaints received will be assessed and categorised according to council’s legislative obligations. Where necessary, the complainant may be contacted to provide additional information in support of allegations made so that council is in a position to correctly assess and investigate the matter. In the case of anonymous complaints, an inability for council to obtain further information from the complainant may see a complaint matter discontinued due to a lack of substance or evidence within the complaint as received.

    Council will formally acknowledge receipt of Administrative Action Complaints and provide written advice to the complainant of its decision on the matter, when determined, including the reasons for that decision.

    Complaint matters will be dealt with as promptly as possible acknowledging that some matters may involve complex issues, including referral to, and/or investigation by external agencies and third parties if required. As such, council is not in a position to provide standardised time frames for resolving complaint matters. Where extended time frames are likely to occur in finalising a specific complaint matter, council will inform the complainant in writing accordingly.

  • Our Administrative Action Complaints Process has been developed to manage complaints efficiently, effectively, objectively and fairly. However, if a complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome, the matter can be referred to council’s Chief Executive Officer for an internal review, unless the written advice of council’s decision on the matter has been signed by the CEO as council’s final and formal position on the complaint. Where a complainant remains dissatisfied with council’s decision, the matter can be referred for external review to the Queensland Ombudsman or to another relevant oversight agency.

  • Council is required, in consultation with the Chairman of the Crime and Corruption Commission, to develop and adopt a policy dealing with complaints involving its public official.

    In a local government context, the public official is council's Chief Executive Officer.

    Council has adopted a relevant policy that requires all allegations of corrupt conduct made against its Chief Executive Officer to be referred to the Mayor.

    As part of implementing the policy, the Mayor has various obligations under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 to notify the Commission of complaints received and to further deal with such matters appropriately in accordance with both the Act, and with any directions provided to the Mayor by the Commission.

    Dealing with complaints involving the public official

In this section