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Freedom of Information

You have the right to request access to documents we hold, including those containing information about your personal affairs, through the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the Act).

You can request access to any documents we hold, but there are some exemptions under the Act. You can also request that we amend or delete incorrect or misleading personal information held about you.

You can also download, inspect or purchase many Council documents without the need to make a formal Freedom of Information (FOI) request. See Documents available for public inspection.

How to make a Freedom of Information request

You can submit an FOI request by in person at the Council office, by email or by post.

You must include the following in your application:

  • A written request by email or letter.  You may also complete a Freedom of Information Request Form (download below).
  • Payment of the non-refundable application fee of $30.60 - we accept credit card payment or you can request an invoice and pay by another electronic means
  • You must pay the application fee or request Council waive the fee due to financial hardship. If you request the application fee to be waived or reduced, you should provide evidence of hardship – for example, a concession or health care card, a bank statement, or statutory declaration outlining why payment would cause you hardship.
  • Please note if you are acting on behalf of another person you are required to provide a document signed by them confirming you are authorised to act as their representative in relation to the Freedom of Information Application.

We also advise that you may be required to produce ID when being provided access to certain documents. 

Freedom of Information Application form 2022-23.pdf

Freedom of Information Application form 2022-23.docx

To apply please submit your application with payment details to info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Alternatively, you can mail your request form with payment details to:

City of Whittlesea
Locked Bag 1
Bundoora MDC VIC 3083

If your request relates to correcting personal information we hold about you, you will need to provide specific details of the amendments that need to be made.

Additional fees

Further charges may be imposed to recover, in part, the cost of accessing the required information and for the time spent by our staff in providing such information. These include:

  • search fee for hard copies documents: $22.90 per hour (or part of an hour) rounded to nearest 10 cents
  • search fee for electronic copies of documents: the pay rate per hour of the officer searching for the documents
  • supervisor inspection of documents: $5.70 per quarter hour, rounded to nearest 10 cents
  • photocopying of documents (black and white): 20 cents per A4 page

Our FOI Officer will determine the additional charges, and notify you if charges are likely to exceed $50.

Fees are applicable as at 1 July 2022.

Timeframes

Under the Act, we have 30 days from receiving a valid request to make a decision on whether to release the document(s), and 30 days to make a decision relating to the correction or amendment of your own personal information. You will be notified, in writing, of this decision.

Appeal and review

Where we deny access to a document (or defer a decision), we will advise you of the reasons for the decision and your rights to seek a review of the decision.