The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) gives everyone a general right of access to Buloke Shire Council documents dated after 1 January 1989.

Material Prepared by Council

There is a vast amount of information that has been made available on Council’s website, including Buloke Shire agendas and minutes, planning schemes, local laws, summary of personal interests, annual reports, Corporate plans, yearly financial statements and Council budgets, plans, policies and procedures adopted by Council, Governance Rules, delegations made to staff.

Other information may also be made available to for public inspection or access, or through informal release. Before you make your request you should consider contacting Council’s Freedom of Information Officer on 1300 520 520, or email buloke@buloke.vic.gov.au.

Procedures for Requesting Access To Information

You can make a request yourself, or you can authorise another person (for example, a solicitor) to make a request on your behalf. If you want someone to make a request on your behalf for your personal information, you must give them your written authorisation. 

For a request to be considered Valid, it must:

• Be in writing.
• Clearly describe the documents you are requesting access to.
• Include the application fee or a request for fee waiver.  If requesting a fee waiver, evidence that you qualify to have the application fee waived is also required.
• Be made to Buloke Shire Council that holds the documents you are seeking.
• In accordance with legislation, Buloke Shire Council has 30 days to make a decision on a valid request.

If the documents are about your personal affairs, you should provide evidence of your identity. For example, a photocopy or electronic copy of your current Drivers Licence. 

If you are unsure about what ID to provide, contact the Council on 1300 520 520. If you want the fee to be waived, include evidence that payment of the fee would cause you financial hardship. For example, a photocopy or electronic copy of your current health care card. 

More information, and an application form can be found on the OVIC website.
https://ovic.vic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/for-the-public/find-and-request-access-to-information/

Application Fees

• Application fee - $31.60 from 1 July 2023 (non- refundable unless fee is waived)

FOI Part II Statement

The purpose of the FOI Part II Statement is to: 

• make the public aware of the types of documents held by Council
• provide the public with information to assist with identification of specific documents of interest
• provide details of how to access documents held by Council.

View the FOI Part II Statement.

Access Charges

Access charges are fees that can be applied to your request and are set out in the Freedom of Information (Access Charges) Regulations 2014.

Further information about FOI fees and charges can be found at the Freedom of Information Commissioner's Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) website www.OVIC.vic.gov.au.

More information can be found at the OVIC website.