Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 1992 (the FOI Act) gives people the right to seek access to documents held by the Shire. The Shire is required to:
- Assist applicants in making an application;
- Assist applicants in obtaining access to documents at a reasonable cost; and
- Ensure that personal information captured in documents is accurate, complete, up-to-date, and not misleading.
The right to apply is not affected by any reasons a person may have to obtain access. The Shire is mindful of its obligations and the general right of access the FOI Act provides to documents. If possible, the Shire will initially try to provide you with the documents outside of the FOI process.
While the FOI Act provides a general right of access to documents it also recognises that some documents require a level of protection and these documents must meet specific exemption criteria in Schedule 1 of the FOI Act: Exemption Clauses. The FOI Act can be viewed on the Western Australian Legislation website.
Amendment of Personal Information
The Act gives a person the right to apply for amendment of personal information which is inaccurate, incomplete, out of date, or misleading. The agency may make the amendment by altering, striking out, deleting or inserting information, or inserting a note in relation to the information. If you are requesting access to personal information, the Shire will require you to produce identification.
Submitting a Freedom of Information Application
The use of an application form is not mandatory, however, an application must:
- Be in writing;
- Give enough information to enable the requested documents to be identified;
- Give an address in Australia to which notices under the Act can be sent;
- Give any other information or details required under the Regulations; and
- Be lodged at the Shire with the application fee.
Applications may be lodged at the Shire (with an application fee):
By post - address to: Freedom of Information Officer Shire of Merredin PO Box 42 MERREDIN WA 6415
In person - Visit: Shire of Merredin Administration Building Cnr King & Barrack Street MERREDIN WA 6415
Freedom of Information Fees & Charges
Listed below are a scale of fees and charges set under the Freedom of Information Regulations 1993. Apart from the application fee, all charges are discretionary and are set by the Council as part of the annual review of Fees and Charges. Fees and charges are GST exempt.
| Regulatory Charges |
|
| Application fee for Personal information |
No Fee |
| Application fee for non-personal information Council Charges |
$30.00 |
| Charge for time dealing with 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 |
| Per photocopy |
$0.20 |
| Transcribing from tape, film or computer information |
Actual Cost |
| Duplicating tape, film or computer information |
Actual Cost |
| Delivery, packaging and postage |
Actual Cost |
The Shire may require an advanced deposit on charges payable.
Relevant Documents
Information Statement 2025/26
Access to Document Application