Freedom of Information

Overview

Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation gives individuals and organisations a general right of access to documents held by Council.  It also provides rights of appeal if access to information through an FOI request is not granted.

If you are seeking access to information, contact Council first to find out if the information is publicly available.  If we cannot give you access, under the FOI Act you have the right to make an FOI request.

Watch this short video on how to make an FOI request in Victoria: OVIC Video - How to make an FOI Request

Part II Statement

Councils must prepare a Part II Statement under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and ensure that it is published and made available to the public. Download Council's FOI Part II Statement.(PDF, 711KB)

What can be requested under FOI?

Documents that council makes available are listed in the FOI Part II Statement. 

You can ask for any documents held by Council, however not all documents are able to be provided. Some or parts thereof may be exempt under the FOI Act for personal or business reasons.

Examples of exempt documents include:

  • law enforcement documents
  • confidential matters considered by Council
  • some internal working documents
  • documents covered by legal professional privilege such as legal advice
  • documents with personal information about other people
  • documents with Commercial-in-Confidence information or trade secrets
  • information obtained in confidence.

Fees and charges

Application Fee (statutory fee)

$31.80

Plus:

Search Time (statutory fee)

$22.95 per hour or part thereof

(non-personal information)

1 hour

2 hours

3 hours

$22.95

$45.90

$68.85

Supervised inspection (statutory fee)

$22.95 per hour to be calculated per quarter hour or part thereof

(non-personal information)

Up to 15 minutes

15 – 30 minutes

30 – 45 minutes

45 minutes - 1 hour

1 hour - 1 ¼ hour

$5.75

$11.50

$17.25

$22.95

$28.70

Photocopies (black and white)

A4 copies (statutory fee)

A3 copies

Per page

Per page

20c

50c

Plans

A2 size

A3 size

Per plan

Per plan

$10.00

$12.00

 

In accordance with Section 17(2B) of the FOI Act, you may request for the application fee to be reduced or waived. Evidence must be provided to support your application should the fee cause you hardship (e.g. Health Care or Pension Concession card or other concessional documentation). 

    

Making an FOI Request

Council may have made the document you are requesting publicly available, so before making a request for access, first view the list of documents in the FOI Part II Statement as it may be available on our website.

Online

To submit a freedom of information request, simply fill out our online form.

Freedom of information

Please note: All requests for access to council documents under the FOI Act must provide such information as is reasonably necessary to enable the documents to be identified.

Email

Step 1.Complete an application form

Download an application form from the panel on the right and complete all sections. All FOI applications must be made in writing however you do not need to use the form provided.

All requests for access to council documents under the FOI Act must provide such information as is reasonably necessary to enable the documents to be identified.

Step 2.Submit your Freedom of Information request

Submit your written application via email to info@moorabool.vic.gov.au

Step 3.Payment of application fee

Once your request is received you will be required to pay the application fee. One of our customer service officers will give you a call to take payment over the phone. Once the application fee has been paid, we will work on your FOI request. All fees are set out below.

Please note the application fee is non-refundable, and your request may incur search and access charges in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Access Charges) Regulations 2014. You will be supplied with a statement of any applicable charges as your request progresses.

In person

Step 1.Complete an application form

Download an application form from the panel on the right and complete all sections. All FOI applications must be made in writing however you do not need to use the form provided.

All requests for access to council documents under the FOI Act must provide such information as is reasonably necessary to enable the documents to be identified.

Step 2.Submit your Freedom of Information request and pay application fee

You can submit your application and pay the application fee at any of the following locations.

Ballan Office 
15 Stead Street, Ballan
Open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm

Darley Civic and Community Hub 
182 Halletts Way, Darley
Open: Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm  

Lerderderg Library 
215 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh
Open: Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm
           Saturday 9am-2pm

Once the application fee has been paid and we receive your application, we will work on your FOI request. All fees are set out below.

Please note the application fee is non-refundable, and your request may incur search and access charges in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Access Charges) Regulations 2014. You will be supplied with a statement of any applicable charges as your request progresses.

Post

Step 1.Complete an application form

Download an application form from the panel on the right and complete all sections. All FOI applications must be made in writing however you do not need to use the form provided.

All requests for access to council documents under the FOI Act must provide such information as is reasonably necessary to enable the documents to be identified.

Step 2.Submit your Freedom of Information request

Mail your written application PO Box 18, Ballan, Victoria 3342

Step 3.Payment of application fee

Once your request is received you will be required to pay the application fee. One of our customer service officers will give you a call to take payment over the phone. Once the application fee has been paid, we will work on your FOI request. All fees are set out below.

Please note the application fee is non-refundable, and your request may incur search and access charges in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Access Charges) Regulations 2014. You will be supplied with a statement of any applicable charges as your request progresses.

What happens next?

We will work on your request, and payment of the Access Charges will be required once a decision is finalised. You will be advised of the decision in writing.

Where a decision is made to refuse or defer access, you will be notified in writing of the reasons.  If you are not satisfied with the reasons you can seek a review from the Victorian Information Commissioner.

Your application may be refused if it is considered to be ‘voluminous in nature’, i.e. it would interfere unreasonably with the operations or performance of Council.

Council may have made the document you are requesting publicly available so before making a request for access, first view the list of documents in the FOI Part II Statement as it may be available through a search on our website. 

More information can be found on the Victorian Information Commissioner’s website. Alternatively, call Council on 03 5366 7100 to speak to the Freedom of Information Officer.

Related documents and application form

Part II Statement(PDF, 711KB)

Freedom of Information Application Form(PDF, 268KB)

 

Further information

Freedom of Information (Access Charges) Regulations 2014

 

Victorian Information Commissioner’s website

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