About Us
Department of Local Government and Regional Development
Government of Western Australia


Freedom of Information
Freedom of Information
 
The Western Australian Freedom of Information Act 1992 (FOI) provides for access to documents held by State Public Sector Agencies and local governments. Agencies are required to facilitate public access to documents at the lowest reasonable cost, and to ensure that personal information is accurate, complete, up-to-date and not misleading. An applicant's right to apply for access to documents is not affected by the agency's view of the applicant's reasons for applying.

Documents may comprise written material, plans, drawings, photographs, tape recordings, films, and videotapes.

The aim of FOI is to:
  • strengthen democracy;
  • promote open discussion of public affairs;
  • open discussions to informed and rational debate;
  • ensure the community is kept informed about the operation of government agencies; and
  • avoid undue secrecy about the activities of government and its agencies.
However, the FOI Act has exemption provisions to protect from disclosure, documents which would have a detrimental effect on the functioning of government or harm the interests of private individuals or commercial organisations.

Access to Documents
View the Access to Documents

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Applications

Contact
For further information regarding the freedom of information process or assistance with preparing an application, the freedom of information Coordinator can be contacted as follows:

Postal Address:
Freedom of Information Coordinator
Department of Local Government and Regional Development
GPO Box R1250
PERTH WA 6844

Street Address:
Department of Local Government and Regional Development
Level 1, Dumas House
2 Havelock Street
WEST PERTH WA 6005

Telephone:
+61 8 9217 1518
Freedom of Information Coordinator

Facsimile:
+61 8 9217 1555

FOI Operations
The Department aims to make information available promptly at the least possible cost. Whenever possible, documents will be provided outside the FOI process. If information is not routinely available, the Freedom of Information Act 1992 provides the right to apply for documents held by the Department and to enable the public to ensure that personal information in documents is accurate, complete, up-to-date and not misleading.

Access Outside Of FOI
There are many documents that can be accessed outside of the FOI process. These documents may take the form of:
  • Documents available on the Department's Website
  • Documents available for purchase from the Department or other outlets
  • Documents available from other agencies such as LISWA
  • Documents held in the Library
Freedom of Information Applications
Access applications must:
  • be in writing;
  • give enough information so that the documents requested can be identified;
  • give an Australian address to which notices can be sent (preferably include a contact telephone number);
  • be lodged at the agency; and
  • be accompanied by the application fee.
Applications and enquiries should be addressed to the Freedom of Information Coordinator as listed above. Applications will be acknowledged in writing and you will be notified of the decision within 45 days of being lodged.

Urgent Requests
If you require an early decision to be made, you should outline in the request the timeframe and reason.

Document Identification
Tips for helping to identify the documents you require.
Outline:
  • topic;
  • keywords;
  • events;
  • incident etc;
  • date ranges; and
  • any other details that you think may identify your request.
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Charges

A scale of fees and charges are set under the FOI Act Regulations. Apart from the application fee for non-personal information, all charges are discretionary. The charges are as follows:

Type of Fee
  • Personal information about the applicant - No fee
  • Application fee (for non personal information) - $30.00
  • Internal Review - No fee
  • External Review - No fee
Type of Charge
  • Charge for time dealing with the application (per hour, or pro rata) - $30.00
  • Access time supervised by staff (per hour, or pro rata) - $30.00
  • Photocopying staff time (per hour, or pro rata) - $30.00
  • Photocopies (per copy) - $0.20
  • Transcribing from tape, film or computer (per hour, or pro rata) - $30.00
  • Duplicating a tape, film or computer information - Actual Cost
  • Delivery, packaging and postage - Actual Cost
There is a 25% reduction in charges for financially disadvantaged applicants or those in receipt of health benefits.

The Department of Local Government and Regional Development will not use these fees as a deterrent to access and will only collect fees when deemed necessary.

Deposits
If the charges are more than $25.00, the Department may ask for a deposit. If this is the case, the 45-day limit is suspended when the applicant is notified and resumes when the deposit is paid. The deposit must be paid within 30 days or the application will be deemed as withdrawn.
  • Advance deposit may be required 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 videotape, a computer disk, a transcript of a recorded, shorthand or encoded document from which words can be reproduced. So long as the arrangements are agreed on between you the applicant, and us the Department.

Notice of Decision
As soon as possible, but in any case within 45 days, you will be provided with a notice of decision. A notice of decision is designed to enable you the applicant to see what was taken into account when making the decision. A notice of decision will include details such as:
  • the date the decision was made,
  • the name of the officer who made the decision,
  • details of any charges,
  • the details of the decision, ie the reason for refusal or type of access allowed,
  • Information on the right to review and the procedures to be followed to exercise those rights.
Internal Right of Review
View the Internal Right of Review

External Right of Review
View the External Right of Review

Exemptions
Some documents, if released, would hinder the proper functioning of government, or would have an adverse effect on the private and business interests of individuals and must therefore be protected form disclosure.

The exemptions are for information relating to:
  • Cabinet and Executive Council
  • Inter-governmental relations
  • Personal Information (unless about the applicant)
  • Commercial or Business Information
  • Law enforcement, public safety and property security information
  • Deliberative processes
  • Legal or professional privilege
  • Confidential communications
  • The State's economy
  • The State's financial or property affairs
  • Effective operation of agencies
  • Contempt of Parliament or Court
  • Information as to adoption or artificial conception
  • Information protected by certain statutory provisions
  • Information as to precious metal transactions
Note: This does not mean that all information relating to these subjects is exempt.
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