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Make a Freedom of Information request

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You have a legal right to access certain documents that GWMWater holds that contain personal information, under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1982 (the Act).

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.

 

How to make a 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  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.

 

Fees

There's an application fee of $33.60 (two charge 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% 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.

 

Privacy

See our Privacy Policy.

 

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