Dear Roads and Maritime Services,

As per Roads Act 1993, RMS appears to have authority to act as an over-sight body per s.228.

Local Council, being the local authority for the Roads Act 1993, Upper Lachlan, has indicated that both it and RMS have conducted and carried out 'risk assessments' of recently installed gates, over the Taradale Road and Federal Highway junction stock grid (approximately 30kms south-bound from Goulburn).

That is,both parties have deemed that the recent placement of gates in the middle of a stock grid do not pose any significant risk to any member of the public, at any time, for any reason. Given a stock grid is so design as to pose a significant trip hazard thus baulk animals, it comes as a surprised gates are warranted after approx 30 years since installation by the DMR.

With out evidence to under-pin the installation of these gates (Roads Act 1993 s.128, s.129, s.138 or Roads General Regulation 2008), such inspections are questionable.

The Federal Highway being a major thoroughfare, my FOI request is of public interest and is to request is for a copy of the Risk Assessment indicated as being so done by RMS.

Further, in public interest, RMS to provide information on the installation of those recently installed gates, under s.228 Roads Act 1993, including the apparent absence of procedural adherence to the requesting of / application for and compliance for 'Public Gate Permit'? As well as evidence held by Upper Lachlan of the installer's compliance to regulatory obligations?

Yours faithfully,

Paddy Galvin

Dear Roads and Maritime Services,

Thankyou for your response. I have several points to clarify;

1. As per Roads Act 1993, RMS appears to have authority to act as an over-sight body per s.228. Is this correct?

2. RMS is indicating that the information I requested is available by an informal request, being for planners reports, application, consent, etc, is not so available?

On that basis the information requested being unavailable informally through an informal GIPA / FOI request, interest, would be available through a formal application and payment of the $30 fee, correct?

Being in the public interest, would RMS consider the release of the requested information via the Right to Know email address? As then it will be public for the world to see without someone else having to go through the same process.

Yours faithfully,

Paddy

Dear Information,

Please calrify if per Roads Act 1993, RMS appears to have authority to act as an over-sight body per s.228. Is this correct? And that you can obtain information from a local authority discharging the Road Act 1993?

Further, per your link to your website, there is mention of 'informal request'
"NSW government agencies are authorised to release government information to a person in response to an informal request by the person. The agency, having regard to the nature of the information, may make such information available by whichever means it considers appropriate and it may be subject to conditions."

Please indicate on what basis my request is not seen as a valid informal request; and thus stipulating a formal request process?

Yours sincerely,

Paddy Galvin

Dear Roads and Maritime Services,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Roads and Maritime Services's handling of my FOI request 'Copy of RMS Risk Assessment + other records'.

- this is in the Public Interest
- this route has been in use for atleast 100 years, although earlies documented reference is from 1837
- this route has been accorded Council official recognition for atleast 100 years
- Upper Lachlan Council, while appearing aware of Roads Act 1993 and Roads General Regulation 2008 appear not to act per regulations with gates being put ACROSS a public road - then locked; have indeed appeared obstructive with information
- Upper Lachlan Council appears complacent with inherent danger associated with the position of gates, with the steepness of the access ramp
- RMS can exercise authority in compliance to Roads ACt 1993
- RMS can ensure information flow
- RMS can ensure impartiality
- RMS can remove ambiguity

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/c...

Yours faithfully,

Paddy Galvin