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Freedom of information and transparency
Before you lodge a Freedom of Information request
Submitting a Freedom of Information (FOI) request should be your last option. You will not be able to use the FOI Act to access information that is already publicly available elsewhere (Section 14 of the FOI Act).
Unsure if the information may be available already? Please review our Freedom of Information - Part II Statement below. Or contact the FOI team for further assistance prior to submitting a request.
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Transparency
Council is committed to being accountable to the community by making information available in a way that is transparent and accessible. Council has adopted a Public Transparency Policy (PDF, 232KB) , which describes our approach to transparency, the kind of information we make available to the public, and how you can access it (see our Governance webpage).
Any information required to be made publicly available or which is available for purchase, we can supply it to you directly.
Freedom of information (FOI)
If there's information you need that we haven't been able to provide, you are entitled to lodge a freedom of information (FOI) request.
Your request for information will need to:
- be in writing
- be accompanied by your application fee (refer fees and costs below)
- clearly describe the documents you are requesting access to.
- Description: your request should accurately describe what you are seeking access to. Requests should be for specific documents. Avoid phrases like 'all documents in relation to' and 'including but not limited to'.
- Identification: If the documentation you are seeking is about your own personal affairs, you'll need to provide evidence of your identity, such as a copy of your drivers licence.
- Authorisation: If you are seeking the information on behalf of someone else - for example, if you are a legal firm - you'll need written authorisation.
You can lodge an FOI request using our online form.
Alternatively, you can also download the Freedom of Information Application Form (PDF, 149 KB). Return your completed form to foi@mvcc.vic.gov.au or by post to:
Freedom of Information Officer
Moonee Valley City Council
PO Box 126
MOONEE PONDS 3039
Once we receive your application, our FOI Officer will determine whether it is a valid request. If we have any questions about your request we will contact you.
When our FOI Officer receives a valid request, we will complete your application within 30 days from the date that it was received.
Not everything is able to be released under FOI. There are times when confidentiality rules may apply. Due to copyright laws, some documents (such as architectural plans) may only be available through inspection.
Council's Part II Statement outlines a range of relevant information about Freedom of Information including our functions and decision-making powers, documents maintained and publicly available, subscriptions, mailing lists, libraries, advisory boards and committees, and the procedure for requesting access to documents held by us. To view the statement, visit Public Policies and search for Freedom of Information - Part II Statement.
Effective 1 July 2025, the standard FOI application fee is $33.60. This fee may be waived or reduced if payment will cause hardship.
Where an application for access is granted, there will be costs in addition to the application fee. These charges are levied under the Freedom of Information (Access Charges) Regulations 2025 and relate to:
- search charges - $25.20 per hour or part of an hour
- inspection supervision charges - $25.20 per hour to be calculated per quarter hour or part of a quarter hour.
Where we anticipate that the costs will exceed $70, we'll advise you as the applicant and request that you pay a deposit. You will be asked whether you want to continue with the request, or whether you wish to narrow the terms of your request to reduce costs.