Freedom of Information
The Western Australian Freedom of Information Act 1992 (the FOI Act) gives the public the right to apply for access to documents held by State Public Sector agencies.
Agencies are required to assist the public to obtain access to documents at the lowest reasonable cost, and to ensure that personal information held by them is accurate, complete, up-to-date and not misleading.
Documents that require access requests include paper files, computer records, maps, plans, photographs, tape recordings, films, video tapes and electronically stored information.
Amendment of personal information
The public may also apply for access to personal information about themselves that is contained in Shire documents. Any person can apply to have this information corrected if they believe it is incorrect, inaccurate, out-of-date, or misleading. Personal information is information about the individual, while non-personal information is information concerning other people or matters.
The application for information must clearly identify the documents concerned. If applying for amendment of personal information, the details to show how the Shire’s records are inaccurate, incomplete, out-of-date or misleading must be presented.
Access to Information
If the request is for “everything” on a particular subject, the Shire may ask you to narrow the scope of the application to ensure the work involved is reasonable.
You must give an address in Australia where notices can be sent, as well as a telephone number, fax number or email address.
Please use the form below to if you would like to apply for access to eligible information.
Codes of Conduct
The Codes of Conduct set out the principles and standards of behaviour that elected members, committee members, candidates and employees must follow when performing their duties.
You can access these using the links at the bottom of this page.
Complaints
Different kinds of concerns are handled in different ways.
The table below provides a quick guide.
Elected Members Training Report
Annual report of training and professional development conducted by elected members.
Pursuant to Section 5.127 of the Local Government Act 1995:
(1) A local government must prepare a report for each financial year on the training completed by council members in the financial year.
(2) The CEO must publish the report on the local government's official website within 1 month after the end of the financial year to which the report relates.
Fees & Allowances Paid to Elected Members
Register of fees, expenses and allowances paid to each councillor in a financial year.
In accordance with s.5.96A of the Local Government Act 1995:
(1) The CEO must publish the following information on the local government’s official website, unless it would be contrary to subsection (2) to do so
(i) information of a kind prescribed for the purposes of this subsection or required by another provision of this Act to be published on the website.
In accordance with r.29C of the Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996:
(2) For the purposes of section 5.96A(1)(i), the following information is prescribed
(f) the type, and the amount or value, of any fees, expenses or allowances paid to each council member during a financial year beginning on or after 1 July 2020
(6) The information referred to in subregulation (2)(f) must be published on the local government’s official website on or before 14 July immediately following the end of the financial year to which the information relates.
Register of Gifts
Register of reportable gifts received by councillors, the CEO, and employees.
In accordance with s.5.89A of the Local Government Act 1995:
(1) A CEO is to keep a register of gifts.
(2) The register is to contain a record of the disclosures made under sections 5.87A and 5.87B
(5) The CEO is to publish an up-to-date version of the register on the local government’s official website.
Primary & Annual Returns
Register of primary and annual returns lodged by councillors and employees in a financial year.
In accordance with s.588 of the Local Government Act:
(1) A CEO is to keep a register of financial interests.
(2) The register is to contain
(a) the returns lodged under section 5.75 and 5.76
The Local Government Act 1995 sets out requirements for Elected Members, CEOs and other employees to ensure transparency and accountability in decision-making. Elected Members and employees are required to make decisions in the best interests of the community and free from bias or conflicts of interest. In accordance with the Act, local governments are required to publish a list of elected members and employees (by position) that lodged a primary return and annual return for each financial year, commencing after 1 July 2020.
A primary return is a snapshot of personal financial information as it exists upon the relevant person's start date and must be lodged within three months of the start date. An annual return retrospectively discloses any changes to the information previously disclosed in the primary return or new interests accumulated for the period since completing the primary return or last annual return and must be lodged no later than 31 August in any year.
Disclosures of Interests
This register includes disclosures made under sections 5.65, 5.70, 5.71 and 5.71A of the Local Government Act 1995, by elected members and employees since 1 January 2024.
Complaints against Councillors
Register of complaints made against councillors that have resulted in a finding
In accordance with s.5.121 of the Local Government Act 1995:
(1) The complaints officer for each local government is required to maintain a register of complaints which records all complaints that result in a finding under section 5.110(2)(a) that a minor breach has occurred.
(3) The CEO must publish an up-to-date version of the register of complaints on the local government’s official website.
Public Interest Disclosure
What is a public interest disclosure?
A public interest disclosure (PID) is a formal complaint anyone can make if they believe something is wrong with the way a public authority, public officer or public sector contractor is acting, or may be going to act, which is of public interest.
This could involve:
- Improper conduct
- Administration matters
- Irregular or unauthorised use of public resources
- An offence under State Laws (including corruption)
- Substantial mismanagement of public resources
- Conduct that involves a substantial and specific risk of injury, prejudice to public safety or harm to the environment.
Conditions of a public interest disclosure
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003 (the Act) outlines what should be disclosed, who it must be disclosed to, and also provides for the protection of people who make a PID, as well as those who may be subject of a PID.
A PID must always be related to a public sector, local government or public university function. It does not apply to information that someone has, or is, engaging in criminal behaviour unconnected to their employment.
The Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes recommends you review the guidelines below and seek advice before making a PID.
Public Interest Disclosure Administration Policy
Don’t be afraid to speak up
Make a public interest disclosure
To make a PID please contact the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes or the Public Sector Commission through one of the methods below.
Note, the Public Sector Commission provides information for people thinking of making a disclosure and to assist public authorities in complying with their obligations under the Act.
Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes
In person:
Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes
1 Steere Street
BRIDGETOWN
Phone: (08) 9761 0800
In Writing:
Executive Manager or Corporate Services
PO Box 271
BRIDGETOWN WA 6255
Email: btnshire@bridgetown.wa.gov.au
Public Sector Commission
In person:
Dumas House
2 Havelock Street
WEST PERTH WA 6005
By post:
Locked Bag 3002
WEST PERTH WA 6872
Phone: (08) 6552 8500
Email: admin@psc.wa.gov.au
Website: www.publicsector.wa.gov.au