Freedom of Information (FOI)

The objectives of the Freedom of Information Act 1992 are to:

  • enable the public to participate more effectively in governing the State
  • make the persons and bodies that are responsible for State and Local Government more accountable to the public

In furthering these objectives, the Freedom of Information Act 1992 requires agencies to publish an annual information statement. An Information Guide to the Shire of Chittering serves as a reference guide to the function of the Council, its responsibilities and information. The inclusion of this section in Council’s annual report meets the annual information statement requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1992.

For further information please contact the Shire's Freedom of Information Coordinator on (08) 9576 4600 or alternatively contact the Office of the Information Commissioner (12th Floor, St Martin's Tower, 44 St George's Terrace, Perth WA 6000 or PO Box Z5386, St George's Terrace, Perth WA 6831)

For further information please contact the Chief Executive Officer on (08) 9684 1219 or ceo@koorda.wa.gov.au 

FOI Procedure and Access Agreements

FOI Operations

The Shire of Koorda supports open and accountable local government and will endeavour to make information available promptly and at the least possible cost. As previously stated whenever possible documents will be provided outside of the FOI process. 

If information is not routinely available, the Freedom Information Act 1992 provides the right to apply for documents held by the Shire and to enable the public to ensure that personal information in documents is accurate, complete, up to date and not misleading.

FOI Applications

In accordance with Section 12(i) initial enquiries should be made
a) in writing;
b) give enough information so that the documents requested can be identified;
c) give an Australian address to which notices can be sent; and
d) be lodged at the agency with any application fee payable.

Applications and enquiries should be addressed to the Freedom of Information Coordinator:-

The Chief Executive Officer
Shire of Koorda
PO Box 20
Koorda 6475

Telephone and fax numbers
Phone: (08) 9684 1219
Fax: (08) 9684 1379

Acknowledgement of Applications

Applications will be acknowledged in writing and you will be notified of the decision within forty five (45) days.

FOI Charges

A scale of fees and charges is set under the FOI Act Regulations. Apart from the application fee for non-personal information all charges are discretionary. No fees or charges apply for personal information or amendment of personal information about yourself (e.g. your medical records, details of employment etc.) Applications for other documents (i.e. which are non-personal in nature) require a $30.00 application fee to be paid when the application is lodged, and there may be other charges imposed by the agency as follows: 

  • $30 per hour (or pro rata for part of an hour) of staff time for dealing with an application. (Agencies cannot charge for locating the documents within the scope of your request.)
  • $30 per hour (or pro rata for part of an hour) for supervision by staff when access is given to view documents; or the time taken by staff to prepare a transcript from a tape or make photocopies.
  • 20 cents per photocopy.
  • Actual cost incurred by the agency for preparing a copy of a tape, film or computerised information, or arranging delivery, packaging and postage of documents.
  • Emailed copies of public documents will be provided free of charge.

Deposits

  • An advance deposit of 25% of the estimated charges may be required
  • A further advance deposit may be required to meet the charges for dealing with the application

For financially disadvantaged applicants or those issued with prescribed pensioner concession cards, the charge payable may be reduced by 50%.

Access Arrangements

Access to documents can be granted by way of inspection, a copy of a document, a copy of an audio tape, a computer disk, 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 forty five (45) days you will be provided with a notice of decision which will include details of the decision and procedure to follow.

Refusal of Access

Applicants who are dissatisfied with a decision are entitled to ask for an internal review. Application should be made in writing within thirty days of receiving the notices of decision.

You will be notified of the outcome of the review within fifteen days.

If you disagree with the result you then can apply to the Information Commissioner for an external review, and details would be advised to applicants when the internal review decision is issued.

Shire of Koorda - Freedom of Information Statement - Reviewed July 2019