--- title: "Government investigations in NSW, Stone & Pillar Legal" description: "NSW government investigations: information requests, interviews, records, statutory powers and the relationship between a response and possible enforcement." canonical: https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/government-investigations/ language: en-AU last_updated: 2026-10-21 source_revision: 1296179e97249d22fa332459637b866a57239ff0 publisher: "Stone & Pillar Legal" --- Council & regulatory # A regulator has contacted you A request for information, an inspection or a proposed interview needs a considered response. We advise on government investigations affecting land, projects, licences and business operations, including how the immediate response may affect later decisions or proceedings. - Jurisdiction New South Wales - Page type Issue overview - Timing Time-sensitive On this page - [This page may be relevant if:](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/government-investigations/#for-you-if) - [What this usually means](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/government-investigations/#what-it-means) - [What commonly matters](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/government-investigations/#what-matters) - [How we help](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/government-investigations/#how-we-help) Time-sensitive Time limits vary by decision and review mechanism. Confirm the applicable period from the notice, current legislation and procedural rules. If a date may be running, do not rely on an online enquiry. [Call (02) 8014 5817](tel:+61280145817) ## This page may be relevant if: - An authority has requested documents, records or an interview - An inspection has raised questions about your works or operations - You need to coordinate a response across staff, contractors or advisers ## What this usually means - The first question is what power the authority relies on and whether each request is voluntary or compulsory. A letter can contain both. - An investigation, a compliance direction and a prosecution are different processes and may overlap. Identify the actual document and requirements before deciding how to respond. - Preserve relevant records and obtain advice on privilege and any statutory protections before producing material or answering questions. Do not assume the same protection applies to answers and existing documents. ## What commonly matters 1. ### The request and its scope Check the named recipient, the information sought, the relevant period and the response date. Separate what the authority asks for from what the notice legally requires. 2. ### A reliable factual record Retain original records, including monitoring data, messages and material held by contractors. Record who holds the information and how the response was assembled. 3. ### The wider consequences Consider remedial work, licence conditions and possible proceedings together. A response strategy should address legal and expert costs as well as continuing operations. ## How we help - Identify the statutory power and response obligations - Advise on document production, interviews and regulator correspondence - Assess enforcement exposure and available responses This page is general information only and is not legal advice. It may not be current, and how the law applies depends on the specific facts. For advice on your situation, contact Stone & Pillar Legal. Time-sensitive ## Government investigations Tell us which authority contacted you, what it has requested and when a response is due. Keep the outline brief. The preliminary call covers - What has happened and the decision you need to make - The authority or other party involved, so we can check for conflicts - Any date stated in the documents you have received - Whether the firm can assist, and what a scoped first step would involve Tell us which document you received, who issued it and any date it states. Keep it to hand for the call. [Speak with a lawyer](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/?timing=deadline\&issue=government-investigations#schedule) [Request a call back](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/?timing=deadline\&issue=government-investigations#enquiry) Complimentary A 30-minute preliminary call. No legal advice is provided. Neither booking nor the call engages the firm. If a deadline is close, call [(02) 8014 5817 ](tel:+61280145817)· [Email](mailto:enquiries@stonepillar.com.au) Your enquiry will be reviewed by Michael Themis , Principal Solicitor of Stone & Pillar Legal. ## What to bring - The complete request or notice and its attachments - Any inspection record and relevant licence or approval - A short chronology and list of people holding relevant records [Related practice area Administrative law and government enforcement](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/administrative-law/) ## Related situations - [Council & regulatory An authority is proposing an adverse decision Preparing NSW show-cause responses and representations about proposed government decisions, including evidence, statutory criteria and workable alternatives.](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/administrative-representations/) - [Environment & pollution I received an EPA notice Respond to environmental, pollution, contamination or compliance notices before the issue escalates.](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/epa-notice/) - [Water & land A water licence, approval or NRAR issue Water access licences, works approvals, controlled activities, metering rules, NRAR investigations and the 2026 civil-penalty regime.](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/water-licensing/) - [Environment & pollution I am facing environmental enforcement or prosecution Investigations, statutory interviews, penalty notices, enforceable undertakings and prosecutions in the Land and Environment Court.](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/environmental-prosecution/) [All situations](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/) Where to start ## Discuss government investigations Describe the regulator contact and its effect on your operations. A preliminary call can establish whether we can assist with the response. [Request a call back](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/?timing=deadline\&issue=government-investigations#enquiry) [Speak with a lawyer](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/?timing=deadline\&issue=government-investigations#schedule) 30 minutes · Phone or Teams · No charge Complimentary 30-minute preliminary call. No legal advice is provided. Neither booking nor the call engages the firm; we act only once we confirm in writing. Tell us any deadline or response date; it remains your responsibility until we confirm in writing that we act for you. Please give only a brief outline until we confirm in writing that we can act. --- The information and tools on this website are general information only, are not legal advice, and do not create a solicitor–client relationship. Please don’t send confidential or privileged material until we confirm in writing that we can act. Do tell us any deadline or response date; it remains your responsibility until we confirm in writing that we act for you. See the full [Disclaimer](https://stonepillar.com.au/disclaimer/) and [collection notice](https://stonepillar.com.au/privacy/#collection-notice) . © 2026 Stone & Pillar Legal · New South Wales Stone & Pillar Legal is a business name of Stone & Pillar Pty Ltd ABN 11 698 040 854. Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.