Freedom of Information

The Shire of Corrigin is an open and accountable Local Government. Wherever possible, the Shire will make documents available for public inspection outside of the Freedom of Information Act 1992. The general public can view a variety of Shire publications at the Shire Office at 9 Lynch St Corrigin, or online at the Shire's website. 

If members of the public wish to obtain copies of any documents, then a charge may apply. For detailed information on costs involved, please read the Freedom of Information Charges section below. 

For further information please contact the Executive Support Officer on (08) 9063 2203 or shire@corrigin.wa.gov.au

Freedom Of Information Procedure And Access Agreements

FOI Operations

The Shire of Corrigin 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.

Freedom of Information Applications

Access applications have to:

  • Be in writing
  • Give enough information so that the documents requested can be identified
  • Give an Australian address to which notices can be sent; and
  • Be lodged at the Shire Office with any application fee payable

Applications and enquiries should be addressed or delivered to: 

Freedom of Information Coordinator
Shire of Corrigin
9 Lynch St (PO Box 221)
CORRIGIN WA 6375

Acknowledgement of Applications

Applications will be acknowledged in writing and you will be notified of the decision as quickly as possible and no later than 45 days after the application is received. 

Freedom of Information Charges

A scale of fees and charges are set out in the Freedom of Information Regulations 1993. Apart from the application fee for non-personal information (information that is not personal information about the applicant) all charges are discretionary. The fees and charges are as follows:

Personal information about the applicant  No fee and no charges
Application fee (for non-personal information)  $30
Charge for time dealing with the application (per hour, or pro rata) $30
Access time supervised by staff (per hour, or pro rata)    $30
Photocopying staff time (per hour, or pro rata)  $30
Per photocopy    $0.20
Transcribing from tape, film or computer (per hour, or pro rata)  $30
Duplicating a tape, film or computer information  Actual Cost
Delivery, packaging and postage  Actual Cost

An estimate of charges will be provided if the cost is expected to exceed $25.00. For financially disadvantaged applicants or those issued with prescribed pensioner concession cards, any charges are reduced by 25%.

Deposits

  • An advance deposit of 25% of the estimated charges may be required
  • A further advance deposit of 75% of the estimated charges 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 is reduced by 25% or may be waived in certain circumstances.

Access Arrangements

Access to documents can be granted by way of inspection, emailed electronic copy, a "hard" paper copy of a document, a copy of an audio or video tape, a computer disc, a transcript of a recorded, short hand or encoded document from which words can be reproduced.

Edited Copies of Documents

As a general rule the Shire will provide edited copies of documents where part of the document may be subject under the schedule of exemptions of the Freedom of Information Act for various reasons (eg, commercial considerations) or where there would be disclosure of personal information about an individual.

Notice of Decision

A notice of decision will be sent as soon as possible, within 45 days, and will include details such as:

  • The date the decision was made
  • The name and the designation of the officer who made the decision
  • If the document is an exempt document; the reasons for classifying the matter exempt, or the fact that access is given to an edited document; and
  • Information on the right to review and the procedures to be followed to exercise those rights

Refusal of Access

Applicants who are dissatisfied with a decision will be able to seek an internal review by the Chief Executive Officer. 

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

FOI Application Form

FOI Statement (Reviewed 31 July 2023)