16 January 2024
Mr Bob Neil
By e-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Mr Neil,
Freedom of information request no. 912/2023 – In responding to this request please quote
your reference number 912/2023
Your freedom of information (FOI) request for access to documents under the
Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (
FOI Act) was received by Council on 19 December 2023. Your reference
number is 912/2023. Please use this number when corresponding with Council in relation to
your request.
You can view more information on the FOI process on Council’s website at link:
https://www.nirc.gov.au/freedom-information
Your FOI request has been assigned to me, Andrew Roach. I am an officer authorised under
section 23(1) of the FOI Act to make decisions in relation to FOI requests.
Request for extension of time to process FOI request
I am writing to request an extension of time for dealing with your FOI request under section
15AA of the FOI Act for a period of 30 days.
Reasons for request
Norfolk Island Regional Council’s office closed on 22 December 2023 and reopened on 2 January
2024. From 23 December 2023 to 2 January 2024, being a significant portion of the processing
period, Council was unable to advance your request during this period.
Council’s searches of its records indicate that it does not hold any documents responsive to your
request.
However, Council has a duty under section 15(4) of the FOI Act to take reasonable steps to assist
you to direct your request to the appropriate agency.
To assist, Council has been making enquiries of the Norfolk Island Supreme Court to determine
if it is appropriate to transfer your request to another agency on the basis that the subject-
matter of the documents requested are more closely connected to the functions of another
agency.
PO Box 95, Norfolk Island 2899 ABN 60103855713
Telephone: (+6723) 22001 Email: xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
As at 16 January 2024, Council’s enquiries remain ongoing.
In light of the ongoing enquiries, I am seeking your agreement in writing to a 30 day extension
of the processing period for your request to al ow Council to finalise these enquiries and advise
as to the next step for your request.
Would you please confirm in writing by no later than
17 January 2024 whether you are
agreeable to the extension of time.
As a decision on your request is currently due by 18 January 2024, if you do not agree to this
extension request, Council will apply to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
seeking an equivalent extension of time.
Contact officer
If you have any questions, the contact officer for your request is:
Andrew Roach
General Manager
Phone: (+6723) 22001 (ext. 128)
E-mail: xxxxxx.xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
Yours sincerely
Andrew Roach
General Manager
Norfolk Island Regional Council
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