Freedom of Information (FOI)

The Freedom of Information Act 1992 (FOI Act 1992) has, as its objectives, to:

  • Enable the public to participate more effectively in governing the state; and
  • Make the persons and bodies that are responsible for the State and Local Government more accountable to the public.

In furthering these objectives, the FOI Act 1992 requires that respondent agencies publish an annual information statement. This document serves as an orientation guide to Council’s purpose, responsibilities and information and is prepared in accordance with Part 5, section 94 of the FOI Act.

Section 94 of the FOI Act 1992 requires each agency to prepare an Information Statement which conveys the maximum possible detail to the public about the agency’s operations. Agencies are required to make this publication available, ensuring the public has access to the information it needs to effectively use Freedom of Information.

This document details, among other things:

  • How we are governed
  • How the public can gain access to council documents

Copies of this document can be obtained from the Geraldton Civic Centre, 63 Cathedral Avenue, Geraldton; from the Mullewa District Office located at the corner of Padbury and Thomas Streets, Mullewa or from the city’s website.

Enquiries may be made to the City's Freedom of Information Coordinator on (08) 9956 6600 during business hours. We look forward to helping you find the information you need.

Access to documents under the FOI Act 1992

If documents are not readily available, you can apply for access under the FOI Act 1992. Requests should be made in writing (application form available) and submitted to the FOI Coordinator with the appropriate fee. An application form together with a schedule of charges may be obtained from the City’s website on www.cgg.wa.gov.au or by contacting the City on  9956 6600.

Download the (GO01) Application for Access to Documents request from our Online Forms page.

FOI Procedures and Access Arrangements

It is the aim of the agency to make information available promptly and at the least possible cost, and whenever possible documents will be provided outside the FOI process.

If information is not routinely available, the FOI Act 1992 provides the right to apply for documents held by the City, ensuring public access to information that is accurate, complete, up-to-date and not misleading.

While the FOI Act 1992 provides general right of access to documents, it also recognises some documents require a level of protection, specifically those documents that meet the exemption criteria in Schedule 1, which includes (without limitation):

Personal Information

Information that would reveal personal information about an individual (e.g. their name, contact details, signature etc.) may be exempt under Schedule 1 Clause 3 of the FOI Act 1992 and section 5.95(8) of the Local Government Act 1995

Commercial Information

Information that would reveal trade secrets, information of a commercial value (e.g. documents containing technical designs that, if released, would reasonably be expected to destroy or diminish that commercial value the company), or the financial affairs of a person (e.g. debts owed to the City) may be exempt under Schedule 1 Clause 4 of the FOI Act 1992

Deliberative Process

Information that would reveal a decision made during a deliberative process closed to the public (e.g. confidential Council meeting) may be exempt under Schedule 1 Clause 6 of the FOI Act 1992 and section 5.23 of the Local Government Act 1995

Legal Professional Privilege

Information that would reveal legal advice may be exempt under Schedule 1 Clause 7 of the FOI Act 1992

Lodging Applications

FOI Application forms are available:

  • From the Geraldton Civic Centre Office front counter
  • From the Mullewa Office front counter
  • On the city’s website

FOI Applications must:

  • Be in writing
  • Give enough information so that the documents requested can be identified
  • Give an address in Australia to which notices can be sent; and
  • Be lodged with the City with the applicable fee payable

FOI Applications can be lodged by;

Mail:           大众彩票

                   PO Box 101 GERALDTON WA 6531

Fax:            (08) 9956 6674

Email:         council@cgg.wa.gov.au

Or in person at the Geraldton Civic Centre.

Charges

Listed below is a scale of fees and charges set under the Freedom of Information Regulations 1993 (FOI Regulations 1993). Apart from the application fee for non-personal information, all charges are discretionary and are set by the City. The charges are as follows:

Regulatory charges
Application fee for personal information (about the applicant)   No fees
Application fee for non-personal information       $30.00
Council charges
Processing the application (per hour, pro rata)   $30.00
Access time supervised by staff (per hour, pro rata) $30.00
Photocopying staff time (per hour, pro rata)   $30.00
Per photocopy (per page)        $0.20
Transcribing from tape, film or computer information $30.00
Duplicating a tape, film or computer information  Actual cost
Delivery, packaging and postage       Actual cost

Deposits

  • An advance deposit may be required in respect of the estimated charges - 25%
  • Further advance deposit may be required to meet the charges for dealing with the application - 75%

Access Arrangements

Access to documents can be granted by way of inspection; a copy of a document; a copy of an audio or video tape; a computer disk; or a transcript of a recorded, shorthand or encoded document from which words can be reproduced.

Notice of Decision

As soon as possible but in any case within 45 days you will be provided with a notice of decision which will include details such as:

  • the date the decision was made
  • the name and the designation of the officer who made the decision
  • if access is refused, the reasons for claiming the document is exempt
  • information on the rights and the procedures to be followed to exercise those rig