Freedom of information

The Freedom of Information Act gives individuals and organisations a general right to access information held by Council. It also provides a right of appeal if access to information through a freedom of information (FOI) request is refused.

Before applying

Making an FOI request should be considered a last resort. Before making a formal request you should review:  

Before submitting a request under the FOI Act, it may be worth contacting Council on 03 5036 2333 or email council@swanhill.vic.gov.au to discuss whether the information you seek is accessible outside of the FOI Act.

How to apply

Email

Step 1.Download and complete the application

Freedom of Information application(PDF, 105KB)

Make sure you provide a clear description to enable us to identify the document(s) being sought.

Step 2.Pay the application fee 

This fee is non-refundable if the requested documents does not exist or is exempt from release. 

Freedom of information 2024/25 fees
Application fee $32.70

Pay by direct debit:
BSB: 063-529
Account: 000 00 119
Account Name: Swan Hill Rural City Council
Reference: FOI (your surname)

Or you can pay in person at either of our Council offices in Swan Hill or Robinvale.

Step 3.Email your completed application to

foi@swanhill.vic.gov.au

Mail

Step 1.Download and complete the application

Freedom of Information application(PDF, 105KB)

Make sure you provide a clear description to enable us to identify the document(s) being sought.

Step 2.Pay the application fee 

This fee is non-refundable if the requested documents does not exist or is exempt from release. 

Freedom of information 2024/25 fees
Application fee $32.70

Pay by direct debit:

BSB: 063-529
Account: 000 00 119
Account Name: Swan Hill Rural City Council
Reference: FOI (your surname)

Or you can pay in person at either of our Council offices in Swan Hill or Robinvale.

Step 3.Mail your completed application to

Attn: Freedom of Information Officer
Swan Hill Rural City Council
PO Box 488
Swan Hill
VIC 3585

In person

Step 1.Download and complete the application

Freedom of Information application(PDF, 105KB)

Make sure you provide a clear description to enable us to identify the document(s) being sought.

Step 2.Bring your completed application to

Customer service

45 Splatt Street
Swan Hill
VIC 3585

72 Herbert Street
Robinvale
VIC 3549

View our opening hours

Your request must be provided to Council staff in writing. 

Step 3.Pay the application fee 

This fee is non-refundable if the requested documents does not exist or is exempt from release. 

Freedom of information 2024/25 fees
Application fee $32.70

Pay with cash, cheque, money order, EFTPOS, Mastercard or Visa.

Fees

Freedom of information 2024/25 fees
Application fee $32.70

Freedom on information 2024/25 fees
Photocopying – A4 20c per page
Photocopying – Other Reasonable costs in providing copies
Search fee $24.50 per hour
Deposit if anticipated charges exceed $50
Anticipated charges less than $100 $25 deposit
Anticipated charges exceed $100 50% of the anticipated charges

What happens next?

The Freedom of Information Officer has 30 days from the date they receive a valid request to respond unless there is a requirement for mandatory notification to third parties, in which case, an additional 15 days will apply. For a Freedom of Information request to be considered valid it must:

  • be in writing
  • provide a clear description to enable us to identify the document(s) being sought;
  • and be accompanied by an application fee

If clarification of your request is required, or you have not paid your application fee, the 30 days will not commence until all three of the above requirements are met. Where access fees are expected to exceed $50, the 30 days will not commence until a deposit on those fees is paid.

Refusal of a request

Not all information is automatically available. Under the Freedom of Information Act an organisation can refuse access to certain documents. These are often called ‘exempt’ documents. Examples include:

  • law enforcement documents
  • confidential matters considered by Council
  • some internal working documents
  • documents covered by legal professional privilege such as legal advice documents with personal information about other people
  • documents with 'Commercial in-confidence' information or trade secrets
  • information obtained in confidence

If you are refused access to documents or are not satisfied with the decision of the freedom of information officer, you can apply for a review. The request for a review must be made in writing within 28 days to:

Information Commissioner
Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner
PO Box 24274,
Melbourne. VIC 3001