Freedom of information request

1. Requests are to be in writing and accompanied by an application fee of $33.60, to:

   Freedom of Information Officer

   GWMWater

   PO Box 481

   Horsham VIC 3402

   or by email to foi@gwmwater.org.au

2. Once we get your request and payment, we'll review the information and get back to you in writing if we need more detail.

3. We'll then do a thorough search to identify the information you've asked for, and respond in writing within 30 days. In some cases this time may be extended with a decision to either:

   • release all the documents

   • release part of the documents

   • release none of the documents.

   If you're not satisfied by a decision made by GWMWater under Section 49A of the Act, you have the right to seek a review by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) within 28 days of receiving a decision letter.

There's an application fee of $34.50 (two fee units, GST-free) payable when you make your request.

A request cannot be processed until:

> the application fee has been paid, or

> GWMWater has agreed to waive the fee.

You can pay by EFTPOS, cash or cheque made payable to GWMWater.

Access fees

Once your request is approved, we'll let you know whether you need to pay additional fees to process your request, such as:

photocopying: 20 cents per page

search fees: $25.20 per hour (1.5 charge units)

written transcripts of a recorded document: $25.20 per hour, calculated by per quarter hour

supervising document inspection: $25.20 per hour, calculated by per quarter hour.

If access charges are estimated to be between $50 and $100, we ask that you pay a deposit of $25.

If the charge exceeds $100, a deposit of 50 percent of the charge is required. In this case we will let you know in writing.

Financial hardship

We provide an equitable service to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for the service. The application fee may be waived if payment is likely to cause you hardship. If you request to have the fee waived on these grounds you must provide a statement of how payment will cause you hardship.

Do you need a hard copy of this information?

You can also view this information in a print-friendly Fact Sheet - Freedom of Information

Under the Act some documents are exempt from release. Examples of documents that may not be accessed include:

• Cabinet documents.

• Some internal working documents.

• Law enforcement documents.

• Documents covered by legal professional privilege, such as legal advice.

• Personal information about other persons.

• Information provided to GWMWater in confidence.

GWMWater is a regional water corporation providing high quality drinking water, sewerage, trade waste and recycled water services to customers in the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee regions of Victoria. We are one of 19 state-owned water businesses operating under the guidance of the Water Act 1989.

Read more about our corporate structure.

Read more about our functions and policies.

GWMWater produces a large number of documents and records in the course of its work. Content Manager is used to classify, store, access and manage a broad range of electronic and hard copy documents.

The types of documents that we handle include:

• Policies and procedures.

• Briefings and reports.

• Registers.

• Various correspondence.

• Brochures, leaflets, information sheets and other advertising material.

• Maps, plans and technical drawings.

• Financial records.

• Meeting records – agendas and minutes.

• Photographs and audio-visual material.

• Permits, notices and licences.

Information on how to request documents under the FOI Act, how we process and respond to enquiries and any fees and charges that may apply can be found at the top of this page.

GWMWater produces a number of publications, many of which can be accessed in our reports and publications section, including our Annual Report and Customer Charters.

GWMWater is required to comply with various state and federal legislations. As a government-owned water corporation, we are bound by the Statement of Obligations issued by the Minister for Water.

Under the Water Act 1989, we can enact by-laws effective within our service area as required. More information on our policies and governance.

GWMWater has a government-appointed Board of Directors that makes high level decisions for the corporation. Board meetings are held every two months and we publish meeting documents at the bottom of our Board of Directors page.