Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1982 gives the community a legal right to access certain Council documents. Moreland City Council is subject to the Freedom of Information Act and responds to requests directly related to its operations.
The Freedom of Information Act has four basic principles
- The public has a legal right of access to information.
- Local governments are required to publish information concerning the documents they hold.
- People may request that inaccurate, incomplete, out-of-date or misleading information in their personal records be amended.
- People may appeal against a decision not to give access to the information or not to amend a personal record.
The public can request any information held by the government, provided that it is not information that is exempt under the Freedom of Information Act.
A person has a right to seek access to:
- documents relating to their own personal affairs regardless of the age of the documents, and
- information that is incorporated in a record of an agency on or after 1 January 1989.
Who may use the Freedom of Information form?
Any person may request access to information that is held by Moreland City Council.
Where to send this form
Attention: FOI Officer
Moreland City Council
Locked Bag 10
MORELAND VIC 3058
Charges
Section 17 of the Regulations set out the charges that can be levied for the provision of information. These charges are listed on the application form.
Method of request
Requests to access documents under the Freedom of Information Act must be made using the application form (DOC 27Kb) and accompanied by a fee of $23.40.
The request must contain sufficient information to enable the FOI Officer to identify the information requested. On receipt of the request and the fee, the Freedom of Information application will be processed. Council must notify applicants of a decision on a request within 45 days from receipt of the request.
Where a decision is made to refuse, partially refuse or defer access, the applicant will be notified in writing of the reasons for the refusal and the procedures available to appeal the decision.
