Information Management
WATC operates in accordance with compliance requirements in regards to the management and provision of information.
Records Management
Records Management is an essential part of WATC’s business activities. Records are captured, secured, retained and able to be accessed when required. WATC has an approved recordkeeping
plan in accordance with Section 19 of the State Records Act 2000 (State Records Act) and meets the requirements of Standard 2, Principle 6. We manage our records under Recordkeeping Plan (RKP) 20200032, which was approved by the State Records Office on 26 March 2021 and is valid until March 2026.
We are currently progressing our way through an innovative two-year information management strategy project , which will enable to us to have greater visibility and management of information resources whilst streamlining staff recordkeeping responsibilities and activities. As part of this project, we are updating and reviewing policies, procedures and systems, and implementing new tools to assist staff in meeting their recordkeeping responsibilities whilst balancing business needs and stakeholder expectations.
With debt funding from WATC, Stage 1 of the City of Swan’s New Junction Project has revitalised Midland Park with new open spaces and community facilities.
Recordkeeping Training
All six new employees completed our recordkeeping training program within one month of commencement. This program includes an induction to our electronic document and records management system (EDRMS) and records awareness training, and focuses on employee responsibilities in relation to effective recordkeeping practices and the State Records Act. In February 2021, we reviewed and updated our records awareness training staff refresher program, which is now provided online. In accordance with our policy, all staff will be required to undertake their records awareness refresher training within the next 12 months.
Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 1992 (FOI Act) enables the public to apply for access to documents held by WATC. Guidance on how to apply and obtain requested documents is set out in our Information Statement, which is available to the public through our website. The statement is prepared in accordance with the requirements of the FOI Act and is regularly reviewed and updated on our website.
We received one FOI application during the financial year, which was processed in accordance with the FOI Act and our FOI Policy within the required timeframes to its successful conclusion.
Complaints
We are committed to providing an accessible, fair and efficient complaints management process. Our Complaints Management Policy is informed by guidance issued by the Ombudsman Western Australia and includes the appointment of a dedicated Complaints Officer who is responsible for impartially assessing complaints and notifying the CEO about all complaints received and their progress towards resolution. The policy stipulates strict timeframes for responding to and resolving complaints. We regularly review the complaints policy and this year created an online form to help streamline the process. A complaint can be lodged through our website, by mail or email, or in person.
Complaints, though rare, are viewed as an opportunity to improve our business operations and staff development. We received no complaints in the 2020–21 financial year.
WATC is a key provider of debt funding to Horizon Power, which develops renewable energy
projects such as the generation solar farm constructed for the town of Onslow.