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 a 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. Click the following link to download Council's Part II Statement:

Part II Statement(DOCX, 450KB)

Making an FOI Request

How to make an FOI Request

An application to access documents can be made on the form provided below or in writing (i.e. a letter or email) to council.  Email applications are also acceptable.

FOI Application Form(PDF, 454KB)

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.

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 of Pension Concession card or other concessional documentation).

Please note that 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 documents are available?

Documents that council makes available are listed in the FOI Part II Statement.(DOCX, 450KB)

You can ask for any documents held by the council; however, not all documents will be 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.

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. 

Fees and Charges

Application Fee (statutory fee)

$30.60

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

 

A number of payment options are available.

Fees and charges can by paid over the phone by credit card, by mail and over the counter, including Eftpos.

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.