Melbourne Water releases a large amount of information as online and printed documents, in meetings and at community events and other activities.
The purpose of this Part II Information Statement (required under Part II of the Freedom of Information Act 1982) is to help you:
- find out about our organisation
- see what types of information and documents we produce, and what is available on our website
- see how we manage Freedom of Information requests
- decide whether or not to make a Freedom of Information request
If you are interested in a specific topic, we recommend a full search of the Melbourne Water website.
There are six sections in the Part II Information Statement.
- Statement 1 - organisation and functions
-
Working on behalf of the community, we manage and protect Melbourne’s major water resources.
We supply affordable, high-quality water, reliable sewerage, healthy waterways, integrated drainage and flood management services and outstanding natural community spaces that help make Melbourne a fantastic place to live.
We’re a statutory authority owned by the Victorian Government.
The Minister for Water, in consultation with the Treasurer, appoints our Board of Directors.
The Essential Services Commission reviews and determines our prices through a pricing submission every five years.
Day to day we:
- manage water supply catchments
- treat and supply drinking and recycled water
- remove and treat most of Melbourne’s sewage
- manage waterways and major drainage systems in the Port Phillip and Westernport region
Information about Melbourne Water and our functions can be found in various locations, including our website, other external websites, online publications and our offices.
Organisation structure
- view our Executive leadership team
Governance
Melbourne Water has a Board which normally meets monthly and carries out its functions pursuant to section 92 of the Water Act 1989.
Three Board sub-committees are convened on a quarterly basis:
- Audit, Risk and Finance
- Customer and Service Delivery
- People, Safety and Remuneration
Melbourne Water is committed to transparency and accountability. Some Board and management deliberations are inherently sensitive. This is acknowledged in the Code of Practice for Water Industry Bodies dated 5 October 2010 and was issued by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries which states:
“Water corporation boards deal with a number of sensitive issues and there are a number of specific topics which should remain confidential if discussed at board meetings. Sensitive information which may be omitted from board meetings minutes/agendas could include security matters, commercial-in-confidence issues, private information or customer details.”
Moreover, section 120(2) of the Water Act 1989 gives Melbourne Water the discretion to “regulate its own procedures” in regards to board meetings. Accordingly, information deemed inherently sensitive will not be included in Board minutes and agendas.
Category/topic Resource location Legislation Melbourne Water is obliged to comply with
The Statutory Information section of our most recent annual report
Melbourne Water Board
Board of Directors List of major committees sponsored by Melbourne Water
The Financial Sustainability section of our most recent annual report
Key structures and functions
Executive leadership team Melbourne Water annual reports
Key Performance Indicators Annual reports Information available on request
The statutory information section of our most recent annual report
Melbourne Water prepares and implements a range of strategies, guidelines, projects and initiatives, works and services, and seeks input and feedback from our community.
- Statement 2 - categories of documents
-
Melbourne Water creates a large number of documents and records in the course of its work.
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.
Document types
The types of documents we handle include:
- policies, procedures, and guidelines
- briefings and reports
- registers and databases
- correspondence
- applications, permits, agreements, leases and licences
- meeting records
- financial records
- audio visual material
Document categories
Documents are currently organised under the following categories in accordance with Melbourne Water's computerised records management system.
- asset planning
- asset management
- biodiversity and river health information
- capital investment
- capital program delivery
- commercial
- compliance monitoring and reporting
- corporate governance
- corporate support
- customer and community programs
- drains and waterways
- drainage schemes
- drinking water quality management
- Eastern Treatment Plant
- environment and public health system
- environmental management
- flood level information
- HACCP
- health and safety
- heritage services
- hydrological information
- information technology
- legal services
- levee banks
- maintenance regimes
- minor capital works
- operations and maintenance
- performance monitoring
- personal records
- property
- pumping stations
- retarding basins
- risk management
- safety management
- security and emergency management
- sewerage transfer
- tidal gates
- water supply
- Western Treatment Plant
Category/topic Resource location List of information available on request The Statutory Information section of our most recent annual report
Melbourne Water's main website outlines the areas of work Melbourne Water undertakes and in which areas documents would be created.
- Statement 3 - FOI arrangements
-
Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, members of the public have the right to request access to documents about the activities of Victorian government agencies and their personal affairs.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request needs to be made in writing to the agency that holds the documents being requested.
For general information about FOI in Victoria visit the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner's website.
FOI at Melbourne Water
Apply for documents
Compliance with obligations
The statutory information section of our most recent annual report.
Reviews and complaints
Visit the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner's website.
- Statement 4 - publications
-
Melbourne Water produces a wide range of publications. Many are available on the publications section of our main website, including a range of reports and videos.
In some cases, it is not possible to make our publications available as downloads.
Ask how you can obtain a copy.
Information specified by Financial Reporting Direction 22B is retained by our Accountable Officer and is made available on request to relevant ministers, members of parliament and the public (subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 if applicable).
Category/topic Resource location Publications produced by Melbourne Water Publications section of our main website List of information available on request
The statutory information section of our most recent annual report
Melbourne Water's website outlines the areas of work we undertake and which documents would be created.
- Statement 5 - rules, policies and procedures
-
Melbourne Water creates rules, policies and procedures related to our various functions.
A sample of our policies and procedures can be found on our website including:
- charters and strategies which guide our works and services
- building and development guidelines
- works permits and licences
- stormwater licences, river water diversions licences
- guidelines for grant applications
- leases, licences and agreements related to Melbourne Water land and assets on our land
The statutory information section of our most recent annual report also lists information available on request.
- Statement 6 - report literature
-
Melbourne Water publishes final reports and records of decisions relating to policy and strategy.
Information specified by Financial Reporting Direction 22B is retained by our Accountable Officer and is made available on request to relevant ministers, members of parliament and the public (subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 if applicable).
Examples published on our website include:
- details of major monitoring and research activities undertaken by Melbourne Water
- reports and policy- and strategy-related publications
- research reports and statistics
If you are interested in a specific topic conduct a full search of our website or write to:
Manager Public Affairs
Melbourne Water
PO Box 4342
Melbourne VIC 3001