The Right to Information Act
Your right to information
Taking effect on 1 July 2010, The Right to Information Act 2009 replaced the Freedom of Information Act 1991 providing greater public access to information held by government bodies.
The Act creates a new framework for the disclosure of information to the Tasmanian Community through increasing accountability of government bodies and also making it easier for people to take part in the governance process. It ensures that information gathered by public authorities is collected for, and on behalf of, the people of Tasmania.
The Act authorises and encourages greater disclosure of information held by public authorities as well as in response to informal requests. It gives members of the public an enforceable right to information held by public authorities. Access to information is restricted in only limited circumstances, which are defined in the Act.
Accessing information held by Southern Water
In line with the provisions of the Act, we routinely make information available to assist the public through this website and publications (such as fact sheets or discussion papers) and our annual report.
Some information is not released in this way, either because it is not of general public interest or because it is information the company would need to assess against the exemptions in the Act before it was disclosed.
If you can’t find the information you are seeking through these avenues we may be able to assist you in finding it or we may give it to you. If it is not freely available we will help you to make an application for an assessed disclosure. Applications are made in writing.
Please click on the following for a copy of the application form and information sheet . The completed application form can be returned to us at:
Right to Information Officer
Tasmanian Water and Sewerage Corporation (Southern Region) Pty Ltd
PO Box 1060 Glenorchy,
TAS 7010.
Formal requests for assessed disclosure will attract a fee. The fee may be waived in some circumstances, which are explained on the application form.
Responding to your request
If you make a formal application we may talk with you within 10 working days about the information you need. We will respond formally to your request within another 20 working days. If you are not happy with this decision you can ask to see an internal review officer. You can also ask to have the decision reviewed by the Ombudsman. Time limits apply to these reviews.