Freedom of information

Melbourne Water is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic.) and is committed to making documents and information available to the community whenever it can. The designated persons for the purpose of the Act are:

Principal officer: Ms C Batagol Chairman, Melbourne Water

Authorised officer: Ms J Denton Freedom of Information Officer Melbourne Water

Requests for information

This year we received 20 requests for access to documents under the Freedom
of Information legislation.

We processed these requests as follows:
Access in full
6
Access in part
4
Access refused
1
Documents not located
7
Applicant did not proceed
0
Not finalised
12

The applications received related to the following issues:

Personal Injury
1
Water Quality
4
Business Admin
6
Water supply
6
Waterways management
2
Property
0
Flooding
1
Year
Number
of requests
2003/04
17
2004/05
11
2005/06
14
2006/07
20
2007/08
20

 

Access to documents

People wanting access to Melbourne Water documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic.) should write to:

Freedom of Information Officer
Melbourne Water
PO Box 4342
Melbourne Victoria 3002

Each application must clearly identify the documents sought and be accompanied by a $22.00 application fee. General inquiries concerning Freedom of Information can be made by telephoning the Freedom of Information Officer on (03) 9235 7184 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday or via email to: . Information on our consultative arrangements, required under Section 7 of the Act, is available on our website, melbournewater.com.au

Information on our publications, also required under Section 7, is included in the ‘Statutory Information’ section of
this report.

Categories of documents

We use a computerised records management system to manage our correspondence and documents. We use online computer systems to manage our financial, human resource and other operational activities and plans relating to our water supply, waterways, and drainage and sewerage responsibilities. Historical archives on our activities are available through the Public Record Office Victoria.

Pricing

Consistent with the Essential Services Commission’s 2008 Water Price Review, Melbourne Water’s water and sewerage prices will increase by an average of 23.5% in real terms (excluding inflation) for 2008/09. As discussed above, Melbourne Water will submit its 2009 Water Plan for water and sewerage services to enable the ESC to make a price determination for the four-year period commencing 2009/10.

This reflects the ESC’s assessment of the efficient cost of delivering customer, government and regulatory requirements over that period. Further information on bulk water and sewerage charges as well as the waterways and drainage charges is available at melbournewater.com.au