Ref: FOI30/124

Dear CR,

1.            We refer to and acknowledge receipt of your email dated 29
December 2023 (below), in which you request access under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (‘FOI Act’) to the following ('your request'):

1. Documents (in the ordinary sense of the word) that include directives,
procedures, or instructions pertaining to the provision of Heatwave
warnings in the Queensland region.

2. Documents (in the ordinary sense of the word) that include directives,
procedures, or instructions pertaining to the provision of tropical
cyclone warnings in Australia.

Please provide the latest final versions of the above documents. I also
request that any draft versions of the listed documents be provided
separately from the final version.

I respectfully request these documents without the "Released under Freedom
of Information" watermark.

Please exclude names and contact details of staff below Group Executive
level, third parties, and duplicate content.

2.            The Bureau received your request by email on 29 December
2023.

3.            Section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act provides that the Bureau has
30 calendar days to deal with an access request. This means the decision
is due by 29 January 2024.

4.            The Bureau aims to provide accessible documents. If you need
this document in a different format or if you have any questions, please
contact [1][BOM request email].

Regards,

Freedom of Information

[2][BOM request email] | [3]www.bom.gov.au

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Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

Please see attached further correspondence.

Regards,

Freedom of Information

[1][BOM request email] | [2]www.bom.gov.au

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Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

Please see attached further correspondence.

Regards,

Freedom of Information

[1][BOM request email] | [2]www.bom.gov.au

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Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

 1. We thank you for response dated 17 January 2024 and apologise for the
delay. You wrote:

I wish to informally revise my request to the following:

1. Procedure handbooks relating to the provision of severe weather
warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, and heatwave warnings in the
Queensland region. Procedure handbooks relating to the provision of
tropical cyclone warnings in Australia.

2. Emails highlighting amendments to the above directives, from 1 January
2023 to 18 December 2023. For an example of the emails sought, please
refer to Document 2 of FOI request 30/5531 (16 April 2012).

3. The policy handbook for the Australian Integrated Forecasting System.

4. The policy handbook for the Disaster Mitigation Program.

5. The Queensland Severe Thunderstorm Warnings summary that was issued
monthly throughout the entirety of 2023.

For parts 1, 3, and 4, please provide the latest final versions of the
listed documents. If any documents are currently in draft form
(unfinalised work in progress), I request those draft versions be provided
separately.

I respectfully request these documents without the "Released under Freedom
of Information" watermark.

Please exclude names and contact details of staff below Group Executive
level, third parties, and duplicate content.

I note you did not previously include item 5 from FOI30/123 in your
consultation letter. Please confirm this item is now included in the
scope.

In addition, I kindly request confirmation as to whether the Australian
Integrated Forecasting System and Disaster Mitigation Program referenced
in items 3 and 4 remain in effect or have since been superseded.

Before formally revising the scope of my request, I am seeking your
feedback on whether this reduced scope would still be considered to
substantially and unreasonably divert the resources of the department from
its other operations. I kindly request that you consider the request
consultation period to remain in effect.

            (We refer to this as 'Your Proposed Revision'.)

 2. We confirm that the request consultation process continues during this
time.

 3. We apologise for erroneously leaving out 'Item 5' regarding 'The
Queensland Severe Thunderstorm Warnings summary that was issued
monthly throughout the entirety of 2023' and confirm that this Item
forms part of the combined request (referenced as FOI30/123 in the
noticed you 17 January 2024).

 4. In relation to Your Proposed Revision we make the following
observations.

 5. You wrote:

For parts 1, 3, and 4, please provide the latest final versions of the
listed documents. If any documents are currently in draft form
(unfinalised work in progress), I request those draft versions be provided
separately.

 6. Your inclusion of 'any documents are currently in draft form'
maintains a broad scope. We note that this may cover a broad set of
documents potentially in scope. This arises because every minor
iterative change (even grammatical) made to a document creates draft
versions of a document in the Bureau's electronic record system. In
addition to this, we also note that Items 1, 3 and 4 of Your Proposed
Revision are not limited by any clearly stated timeframe. In other
words, these Items of Your Proposed Revision remain potentially very
broad. You may consider amending the request, for example by excluding
drafts to reduce the scope.

 7. In relation to Item 2 of Your Proposed Revision, you wrote:

Emails highlighting amendments to the above directives, from 1 January
2023 to 18 December 2023. For an example of the emails sought, please
refer to Document 2 of FOI request 30/5531 (16 April 2012).

 8. We note that this proposed revision requires the Bureau's staff
(including its specialist operational staff) to search for and
retrieve emails across the relevant period. Further, each document
will need to be reviewed to identify whether the whole document or
merely part of one is relevant to the request. You may consider
further revising the scope by limiting the documents to be emails
between senior executive staff. However, even if you limit the scope
in this way, there remains the practical concern that the Bureau would
be diverting its operational staff during this crucial peak weather
season to conduct document searches and take other steps to process
the request.

 9. We reiterate that, as observed in the notice to you on 17 January
2024, the decision maker's view regarding the practical refusal reason
includes the consideration that there would be an unreasonable
diversion of limited specialist staff from their crucial operational
duties during this current peak weather season. We note that this
concern remains. Many of the Bureau's operation staff necessary to the
task of processing the request are focused on their operational duties
during this crucial peak weather season. To divert these and other
operational resources remains a significant and substantial diversion
of resources and poses grave concern to ongoing operations.

10. We hope the above assists. We look forward to your reply.

Regards,

Freedom of Information

[1][BOM request email] | [2]www.bom.gov.au

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Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

1. We thank you for response dated 17 January 2024 and apologise for the delay. You wrote:

I wish to informally revise my request to the following:

1. Procedure handbooks relating to the provision of severe weather warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, and heatwave warnings in the Queensland region. Procedure handbooks relating to the provision of tropical cyclone warnings in Australia.

2. Emails highlighting amendments to the above directives, from 1 January 2023 to 18 December 2023. For an example of the emails sought, please refer to Document 2 of FOI request 30/5531 (16 April 2012).

3. The policy handbook for the Australian Integrated Forecasting System.

4. The policy handbook for the Disaster Mitigation Program.

5. The Queensland Severe Thunderstorm Warnings summary that was issued monthly throughout the entirety of 2023.

For parts 1, 3, and 4, please provide the latest final versions of the listed documents. If any documents are currently in draft form (unfinalised work in progress), I request those draft versions be provided separately.

I respectfully request these documents without the "Released under Freedom of Information" watermark.

Please exclude names and contact details of staff below Group Executive level, third parties, and duplicate content.

I note you did not previously include item 5 from FOI30/123 in your consultation letter. Please confirm this item is now included in the scope.

In addition, I kindly request confirmation as to whether the Australian Integrated Forecasting System and Disaster Mitigation Program referenced in items 3 and 4 remain in effect or have since been superseded.

Before formally revising the scope of my request, I am seeking your feedback on whether this reduced scope would still be considered to substantially and unreasonably divert the resources of the department from its other operations. I kindly request that you consider the request consultation period to remain in effect.

(We refer to this as 'Your Proposed Revision'.)

1. We confirm that the request consultation process continues during this time.

1. We apologise for erroneously leaving out 'Item 5' regarding 'The Queensland Severe Thunderstorm Warnings summary that was issued monthly throughout the entirety of 2023' and confirm that this Item forms part of the combined request (referenced as FOI30/123 in the noticed you 17 January 2024).

1. In relation to Your Proposed Revision we make the following observations.

1. You wrote:

For parts 1, 3, and 4, please provide the latest final versions of the listed documents. If any documents are currently in draft form (unfinalised work in progress), I request those draft versions be provided separately.

1. Your inclusion of 'any documents are currently in draft form' maintains a broad scope. We note that this may cover a broad set of documents potentially in scope. This arises because every minor iterative change (even grammatical) made to a document creates draft versions of a document in the Bureau's electronic record system. In addition to this, we also note that Items 1, 3 and 4 of Your Proposed Revision are not limited by any clearly stated timeframe. In other words, these Items of Your Proposed Revision remain potentially very broad. You may consider amending the request, for example by excluding drafts to reduce the scope.

1. In relation to Item 2 of Your Proposed Revision, you wrote:

Emails highlighting amendments to the above directives, from 1 January 2023 to 18 December 2023. For an example of the emails sought, please refer to Document 2 of FOI request 30/5531 (16 April 2012).

1. We note that this proposed revision requires the Bureau's staff (including its specialist operational staff) to search for and retrieve emails across the relevant period. Further, each document will need to be reviewed to identify whether the whole document or merely part of one is relevant to the request. You may consider further revising the scope by limiting the documents to be emails between senior executive staff. However, even if you limit the scope in this way, there remains the practical concern that the Bureau would be diverting its operational staff during this crucial peak weather season to conduct document searches and take other steps to process the request.

1. We reiterate that, as observed in the notice to you on 17 January 2024, the decision maker's view regarding the practical refusal reason includes the consideration that there would be an unreasonable diversion of limited specialist staff from their crucial operational duties during this current peak weather season. We note that this concern remains. Many of the Bureau's operation staff necessary to the task of processing the request are focused on their operational duties during this crucial peak weather season. To divert these and other operational resources remains a significant and substantial diversion of resources and poses grave concern to ongoing operations.

1. We hope the above assists. We look forward to your reply.

Regards,

Freedom of Information
[BOM request email]<mailto:[BOM request email]> | www.bom.gov.au<http://www.bom.gov.au/>
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Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

 1. We refer to your email dated 1 February 2024 (below). You wrote:

Dear Freedom of Information team,

I am writing to conclude the request consultation process. Since you did
not seek to extend the request consultation period under section 24AB(5)
of the FOI Act, I understand this to mean the proposed revision to my
request addresses the practical refusal reason that was previously raised.

As the consultation period ends tonight, I am left with no choice other
than to submit the following revised request:

1. The procedure handbooks relating to the provision of severe weather
warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, and heatwave warnings in the
Queensland region. The procedure handbooks relating to the provision of
tropical cyclone warnings in Australia.

o All other versions except for the latest final versions of these
documents are excluded.

2. Emails from senior executive staff highlighting amendments to the above
directives, from 1 January 2023 to 18 December 2023.

o For an example of the emails sought, please refer to Document 2 of FOI
request 30/5531 (16 April 2012).

3. The policy handbook for the Australian Integrated Forecasting System.

o All other versions except for the latest final versions of these
documents are excluded.

4. The policy handbook for the Disaster Mitigation Program.

o All other versions except for the latest final versions of these
documents are excluded.

5. The Queensland Severe Thunderstorm Warnings summary that was issued
monthly throughout the entirety of 2023.

I respectfully request these documents without the "Released under Freedom
of Information" watermark.

Exclusions:

i. Names and contact details of staff below Group Executive level and
third parties.

ii. Duplicate content

iii. Early parts of email streams captured in later emails.

I anticipate a timely decision on my revised request.

Consultation process:

 2. The Bureau considers the consultation period in relation to your FOI
matter is still continuing at this point in time.

 3. The Bureau has made efforts to deal with your FOI matter on good faith
and fairly, including the manner we have understood your consultation
responses. For example, during this consultation process you have
included in your earlier emails the words, 'Before formally revising
the scope of my request, I am seeking your feedback…'. We have
understood this to mean you have not confirmed a final revised request
but wish to continue the consultation process.

 4. The Bureau remains open to continuing, as far as reasonable, our
consultations in relation to your FOI matter. Please confirm by reply
whether you agree that the consultation process still continues in the
manner we have understood it.

Your proposed revision dated 1 February 2024:

 5. In your most recent response dated 1 February 2024, you proposed the
following revised access request:

1. The procedure handbooks relating to the provision of severe weather
warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, and heatwave warnings in the
Queensland region. The procedure handbooks relating to the provision of
tropical cyclone warnings in Australia.

o All other versions except for the latest final versions of these
documents are excluded.

2. Emails from senior executive staff highlighting amendments to the above
directives, from 1 January 2023 to 18 December 2023.

o For an example of the emails sought, please refer to Document 2 of FOI
request 30/5531 (16 April 2012).

3. The policy handbook for the Australian Integrated Forecasting System.

o All other versions except for the latest final versions of these
documents are excluded.

4. The policy handbook for the Disaster Mitigation Program.

o All other versions except for the latest final versions of these
documents are excluded.

5. The Queensland Severe Thunderstorm Warnings summary that was issued
monthly throughout the entirety of 2023.

I respectfully request these documents without the "Released under Freedom
of Information" watermark.

Exclusions:

i. Names and contact details of staff below Group Executive level and
third parties.

ii. Duplicate content

iii. Early parts of email streams captured in later emails.

I anticipate a timely decision on my revised request.

 6. We make the following observations in relation the revision proposed
by you as reproduced above (at para [5]).

Item 1 and 2:

 7. For these Items, you wrote:

1. The procedure handbooks relating to the provision of severe weather
warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, and heatwave warnings in the
Queensland region. The procedure handbooks relating to the provision of
tropical cyclone warnings in Australia.

o All other versions except for the latest final versions of these
documents are excluded.

2. Emails from senior executive staff highlighting amendments to the above
directives, from 1 January 2023 to 18 December 2023.

o For an example of the emails sought, please refer to Document 2 of FOI
request 30/5531 (16 April 2012).

 8. We consider these Items to have been revised sufficiently that it may
be processed under the FOI Act. However, we note that the Bureau
requires further time to process these Items.

 9. The Bureau needs time to take reasonable steps to process this revised
request, including conducting relevant document searches. We therefore
respectfully request your agreement pursuant to s 15AA to an
additional 30 calendar days to deal with your access request.

10. We kindly ask for your reply by 12 pm on Friday 2 February 2024
regarding our request for additional time.

11. We note that, considering the character of the documents you request
access to, the Bureau may find it appropriate to consult third parties
in relation to document/s. If such circumstances arise, the Bureau
will notify you.

Items 3, 4 and 5:

12. In relation to Items 3, 4 and 5, you request access to:

3. The policy handbook for the Australian Integrated Forecasting System.

o All other versions except for the latest final versions of these
documents are excluded.

4. The policy handbook for the Disaster Mitigation Program.

o All other versions except for the latest final versions of these
documents are excluded.

5. The Queensland Severe Thunderstorm Warnings summary that was issued
monthly throughout the entirety of 2023.

13. In relation to Item 3 and, we have made reasonable enquiries within
the Bureau and the result is that no document matching the description
could be identified.

14. For Items 3 and 4, we note you exclude 'All other versions except for
the latest final versions of these documents' and have specified no
timeframe.

15. Regarding Item 3: we note that the 'Australian Integrated Forecast
System' ('AIFS') has undergone significant development and is now part
of broader IT systems. Internal materials connected to the AIFS have
changed over time in line with developments. However, a document
matching the description of being ' latest final versions of' the
'policy handbook for the Australian Integrated Forecasting System'
could not be identified from our enquiries.

16. Regarding Item 4: we note that 'Disaster Mitigation Program ('DMP') no
longer exists. Any internal materials connected to the DMP are not
current and a document matching the description of being ' latest
final versions of' the ' Disaster Mitigation Program' could not be
identified from our enquiries.

17. Regarding Item 5: we have made reasonable enquiries within the Bureau
and the result is that no document matching the description could be
identified. Other than the information made publicly available on the
Bureau's website regarding relevant related weather events, there was
no document identified as matching the description of 'Queensland
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings summary that was issued monthly
throughout the entirety of 2023'.

18. Given the above, we request your agreement to withdraw these Items of
the access request.

Request for your response:

19. We kindly ask for reply by 12 pm on Friday 2 February 2024 in relation
to:

 a. Whether you agree that the consultation process still continues in
the manner we have understood it.

 b. Whether you agree pursuant to s 15AA of FOI Act to an additional 30
days to process Items 1 and 2 of your proposed revision dated 1
February 2024 (see paras [8]-[11] above).

 c. Whether you agree to withdraw Items 3, 4 and 5 from your proposed
revision dated 1 February 2024.

20. We hope the above assists. We look forward to your reply.

Kind regards,

Freedom of Information

[1][BOM request email] | [2]www.bom.gov.au

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Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

 1. We refer to your email dated 2 February 2024 and our previous
correspondences.

Timeframe:

 2. We will proceed on the basis that you have not agreed to extend the
consultation period (under 24AB(6) and you have not agreed to extend
the time for processing your request (under s 15AA). On that basis,
the consultation period ended on 31 January 2024 and a decision on
your request was due on that day.

 3. Therefore, a decision on your request will be completed out of time.

 4. A decision that is out of time may be considered a deemed refusal and
on that basis it is open to you to seek a review of the decision with
the Australian Information Commissioner under the FOI Act.

 5. Nevertheless, the Bureau will continue to process your request as soon
as practicable. We intend to request an extension of time from the
Information Commissioner in accordance with s 15AC of the FOI Act.

Revised scope:

 6. You have agreed to exclude items 3 and 4 from the scope of your
request. In addition, you have previously agreed to exclude names and
contact details of staff below Executive level and third parties,
duplicate content and early parts of emails streams captured in later
emails. We therefore understand your revised request to be for:

o Item 1: Latest, final version of the procedure handbooks relating to
the provision of severe weather warnings, severe thunderstorm
warnings, and heatwave warnings in the Queensland region. The
procedure handbooks relating to the provision of tropical cyclone
warnings in Australia.

o Item 2: Emails from senior executive staff highlighting amendments to
the above directives, from 1 January 2023 to 18 December 2023 (of the
type released as Document 2 of FOI request 30/5531 (16 April 2012)).

o Item 5: The Queensland Severe Thunderstorm Warnings summary that was
issued monthly throughout the entirety of 2023.

Next steps:

·         We will seek an extension of time from the Information
Commissioner, for dealing with your request and will continue to progress
work on the matter.

·         We will complete document searches based on the revised scope in
relation to Items 1 and 2.

·         We expect that we may need to consult third parties in relation
to some of the documents. Although the Act allows an additional 30 days
for processing requests where third party consultation is required, we
note that in this case the timeframe for processing your request has
already ended and a decision on your request is being completed out of
time; therefore, we will conduct any third-party consultation as quickly
as possible while giving third parties a reasonable opportunity to
respond.

·         In relation to Item 5, we will enquire further with relevant
sections of the Bureau about whether any documents exist within scope,
taking into account the additional information you have provided in regard
to this item, being that you 'note the Severe Thunderstorm Directive
Queensland 2011/12 Season released under FOI request 30/5531 refers to
such summaries being accessible via your information management system
(page 27, item 8.1.2).'

·         In relation to Item 5, you further wrote: 'As the department has
been unable to locate discrete documents responding to this item, the
department must produce a written document under section 15 of the FOI Act
to fulfil this part of my request'. We note that s 17 of the FOI Act
relates to providing access to information that is stored electronically
and is not available in discrete form. The Bureau is aware of our
obligations under this section and will include consideration of all
relevant material within scope of Item 5, including information stored
electronically, as is our regular FOI practice. Our decision on your
request will identify whether any documents exist within scope of Item 5.

·         By way of assistance to you, we will consider whether there are
any materials related to your request, including material that may already
be publicly available, that can be provided to you in addition to any
material found to be in scope.

 7. We will keep you informed of progress. Please contact
[1][BOM request email] if you have any questions about this matter in the
mean time.

Kind regards,

Freedom of Information

[2][BOM request email] | [3]www.bom.gov.au

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show quoted sections

Our reference: RQ24/00494

Agency reference: FOI30/123

Bureau of Meteorology

CR

Extension of time under s 15AC

Dear Parties,

Please find attached an extension of time decision relating to the above
referenced FOI request.

Regards,

[1][IMG]   Hannah Holswilder

Director, Freedom of Information Branch

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

Adelaide | GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001

E [2][email address]
 
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3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...

Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

 1. We write to let you know the Bureau is continuing to progress your FOI
matter towards the date of 1 March 2024.

 2. The Bureau is undertaking the steps necessary to process your FOI
matter – steps which were set out in our s 15AC application to the
OAIC.

Regards,

Freedom of Information

[1][BOM request email] | [2]www.bom.gov.au

[3]The Bureau of Meteorology logo. Text reads The Bureau of Meteorology.
Image is a stylised synoptic map of Australia.
[4]Facebook icon. Link to Bureau Facebook page.  [5]Twitter icon. Link to
Bureau Twitter account.  [6]YouTube icon. Link to Bureau YouTube
channel.  [7]Instagram icon. Link to Bureau Instagram
account.  [8]LinkedIn icon. Link to Bureau LinkedIn profile.  [9]Stylised
synoptic map of Australia. Link to Bureau website,
 
[10]Aboriginal The Bureau of Meteorology acknowledges the Traditional
flag and Torres Custodians of Australia and their continuing connection to
Strait Islander land, sea and community.
flag
Important: This message may contain confidential or legally privileged
information. If you think it was sent to you by mistake, please delete all
copies and advise the sender.

 
[11]Banner. Scrolling ticker style with the text The Bureau of severe
weather warning, the harvest and Meteorology.

From: FOI <[BOM request email]>
Sent: Friday, February 2, 2024 4:23 PM
To: CR <[FOI #10992 email]>
Cc: FOI <[BOM request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
in QLD [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

 1. We refer to your email dated 2 February 2024 and our previous
correspondences.

Timeframe:

 2. We will proceed on the basis that you have not agreed to extend the
consultation period (under 24AB(6) and you have not agreed to extend
the time for processing your request (under s 15AA). On that basis,
the consultation period ended on 31 January 2024 and a decision on
your request was due on that day.

 3. Therefore, a decision on your request will be completed out of time.

 4. A decision that is out of time may be considered a deemed refusal and
on that basis it is open to you to seek a review of the decision with
the Australian Information Commissioner under the FOI Act.

 5. Nevertheless, the Bureau will continue to process your request as soon
as practicable. We intend to request an extension of time from the
Information Commissioner in accordance with s 15AC of the FOI Act.

Revised scope:

 6. You have agreed to exclude items 3 and 4 from the scope of your
request. In addition, you have previously agreed to exclude names and
contact details of staff below Executive level and third parties,
duplicate content and early parts of emails streams captured in later
emails. We therefore understand your revised request to be for:

o Item 1: Latest, final version of the procedure handbooks relating to
the provision of severe weather warnings, severe thunderstorm
warnings, and heatwave warnings in the Queensland region. The
procedure handbooks relating to the provision of tropical cyclone
warnings in Australia.

o Item 2: Emails from senior executive staff highlighting amendments to
the above directives, from 1 January 2023 to 18 December 2023 (of the
type released as Document 2 of FOI request 30/5531 (16 April 2012)).

o Item 5: The Queensland Severe Thunderstorm Warnings summary that was
issued monthly throughout the entirety of 2023.

Next steps:

·         We will seek an extension of time from the Information
Commissioner, for dealing with your request and will continue to progress
work on the matter.

·         We will complete document searches based on the revised scope in
relation to Items 1 and 2.

·         We expect that we may need to consult third parties in relation
to some of the documents. Although the Act allows an additional 30 days
for processing requests where third party consultation is required, we
note that in this case the timeframe for processing your request has
already ended and a decision on your request is being completed out of
time; therefore, we will conduct any third-party consultation as quickly
as possible while giving third parties a reasonable opportunity to
respond.

·         In relation to Item 5, we will enquire further with relevant
sections of the Bureau about whether any documents exist within scope,
taking into account the additional information you have provided in regard
to this item, being that you 'note the Severe Thunderstorm Directive
Queensland 2011/12 Season released under FOI request 30/5531 refers to
such summaries being accessible via your information management system
(page 27, item 8.1.2).'

·         In relation to Item 5, you further wrote: 'As the department has
been unable to locate discrete documents responding to this item, the
department must produce a written document under section 15 of the FOI Act
to fulfil this part of my request'. We note that s 17 of the FOI Act
relates to providing access to information that is stored electronically
and is not available in discrete form. The Bureau is aware of our
obligations under this section and will include consideration of all
relevant material within scope of Item 5, including information stored
electronically, as is our regular FOI practice. Our decision on your
request will identify whether any documents exist within scope of Item 5.

·         By way of assistance to you, we will consider whether there are
any materials related to your request, including material that may already
be publicly available, that can be provided to you in addition to any
material found to be in scope.

 7. We will keep you informed of progress. Please contact
[12][BOM request email] if you have any questions about this matter in the
mean time.

Kind regards,

Freedom of Information

[13][BOM request email] | [14]www.bom.gov.au

[15]The Bureau of Meteorology logo. Text reads The Bureau of Meteorology.
Image is a stylised synoptic map of Australia.
[16]Facebook icon. Link to Bureau Facebook page.  [17]Twitter icon. Link
to Bureau Twitter account.  [18]YouTube icon. Link to Bureau YouTube
channel.  [19]Instagram icon. Link to Bureau Instagram
account.  [20]LinkedIn icon. Link to Bureau LinkedIn
profile.  [21]Stylised synoptic map of Australia. Link to Bureau website,
 
[22]Aboriginal The Bureau of Meteorology acknowledges the Traditional
flag and Torres Custodians of Australia and their continuing connection to
Strait Islander land, sea and community.
flag
Important: This message may contain confidential or legally privileged
information. If you think it was sent to you by mistake, please delete all
copies and advise the sender.

 
[23]Banner. Scrolling ticker style with the text The Bureau of severe
weather warning, the harvest and Meteorology.

show quoted sections

Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

 1. We refer to your FOI matter and our previous correspondences.

 2. Please see attached:

 a. the decision in relation to your request; and
 b. relevant documents as described in the decision.

 3. If there are question, please let us know by reply email.

Regards,

Freedom of Information

[1][BOM request email] | [2]www.bom.gov.au

[3]The Bureau of Meteorology logo. Text reads The Bureau of Meteorology.
Image is a stylised synoptic map of Australia.
[4]Facebook icon. Link to Bureau Facebook page.  [5]Twitter icon. Link to
Bureau Twitter account.  [6]YouTube icon. Link to Bureau YouTube
channel.  [7]Instagram icon. Link to Bureau Instagram
account.  [8]LinkedIn icon. Link to Bureau LinkedIn profile.  [9]Stylised
synoptic map of Australia. Link to Bureau website,
 
[10]Aboriginal The Bureau of Meteorology acknowledges the Traditional
flag and Torres Custodians of Australia and their continuing connection to
Strait Islander land, sea and community.
flag
Important: This message may contain confidential or legally privileged
information. If you think it was sent to you by mistake, please delete all
copies and advise the sender.

 
[11]Banner. Scrolling ticker style with the text The Bureau of severe
weather warning, the harvest and Meteorology.

From: FOI <[12][BOM request email]>
Sent: Friday, February 16, 2024 7:47 AM
To: [13][FOI #10992 email]
Cc: FOI <[14][BOM request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
in QLD [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

 1. We write to let you know the Bureau is continuing to progress your FOI
matter towards the date of 1 March 2024.

 2. The Bureau is undertaking the steps necessary to process your FOI
matter – steps which were set out in our s 15AC application to the
OAIC.

Regards,

Freedom of Information

[15][BOM request email] | [16]www.bom.gov.au

[17]The Bureau of Meteorology logo. Text reads The Bureau of Meteorology.
Image is a stylised synoptic map of Australia.
[18]Facebook icon. Link to Bureau Facebook page.  [19]Twitter icon. Link
to Bureau Twitter account.  [20]YouTube icon. Link to Bureau YouTube
channel.  [21]Instagram icon. Link to Bureau Instagram
account.  [22]LinkedIn icon. Link to Bureau LinkedIn
profile.  [23]Stylised synoptic map of Australia. Link to Bureau website,
 
[24]Aboriginal The Bureau of Meteorology acknowledges the Traditional
flag and Torres Custodians of Australia and their continuing connection to
Strait Islander land, sea and community.
flag
Important: This message may contain confidential or legally privileged
information. If you think it was sent to you by mistake, please delete all
copies and advise the sender.

 
[25]Banner. Scrolling ticker style with the text The Bureau of severe
weather warning, the harvest and Meteorology.

From: FOI <[26][BOM request email]>
Sent: Friday, February 2, 2024 4:23 PM
To: CR <[27][FOI #10992 email]>
Cc: FOI <[28][BOM request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
in QLD [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

 1. We refer to your email dated 2 February 2024 and our previous
correspondences.

Timeframe:

 2. We will proceed on the basis that you have not agreed to extend the
consultation period (under 24AB(6) and you have not agreed to extend
the time for processing your request (under s 15AA). On that basis,
the consultation period ended on 31 January 2024 and a decision on
your request was due on that day.

 3. Therefore, a decision on your request will be completed out of time.

 4. A decision that is out of time may be considered a deemed refusal and
on that basis it is open to you to seek a review of the decision with
the Australian Information Commissioner under the FOI Act.

 5. Nevertheless, the Bureau will continue to process your request as soon
as practicable. We intend to request an extension of time from the
Information Commissioner in accordance with s 15AC of the FOI Act.

Revised scope:

 6. You have agreed to exclude items 3 and 4 from the scope of your
request. In addition, you have previously agreed to exclude names and
contact details of staff below Executive level and third parties,
duplicate content and early parts of emails streams captured in later
emails. We therefore understand your revised request to be for:

o Item 1: Latest, final version of the procedure handbooks relating to
the provision of severe weather warnings, severe thunderstorm
warnings, and heatwave warnings in the Queensland region. The
procedure handbooks relating to the provision of tropical cyclone
warnings in Australia.

o Item 2: Emails from senior executive staff highlighting amendments to
the above directives, from 1 January 2023 to 18 December 2023 (of the
type released as Document 2 of FOI request 30/5531 (16 April 2012)).

o Item 5: The Queensland Severe Thunderstorm Warnings summary that was
issued monthly throughout the entirety of 2023.

Next steps:

·         We will seek an extension of time from the Information
Commissioner, for dealing with your request and will continue to progress
work on the matter.

·         We will complete document searches based on the revised scope in
relation to Items 1 and 2.

·         We expect that we may need to consult third parties in relation
to some of the documents. Although the Act allows an additional 30 days
for processing requests where third party consultation is required, we
note that in this case the timeframe for processing your request has
already ended and a decision on your request is being completed out of
time; therefore, we will conduct any third-party consultation as quickly
as possible while giving third parties a reasonable opportunity to
respond.

·         In relation to Item 5, we will enquire further with relevant
sections of the Bureau about whether any documents exist within scope,
taking into account the additional information you have provided in regard
to this item, being that you 'note the Severe Thunderstorm Directive
Queensland 2011/12 Season released under FOI request 30/5531 refers to
such summaries being accessible via your information management system
(page 27, item 8.1.2).'

·         In relation to Item 5, you further wrote: 'As the department has
been unable to locate discrete documents responding to this item, the
department must produce a written document under section 15 of the FOI Act
to fulfil this part of my request'. We note that s 17 of the FOI Act
relates to providing access to information that is stored electronically
and is not available in discrete form. The Bureau is aware of our
obligations under this section and will include consideration of all
relevant material within scope of Item 5, including information stored
electronically, as is our regular FOI practice. Our decision on your
request will identify whether any documents exist within scope of Item 5.

·         By way of assistance to you, we will consider whether there are
any materials related to your request, including material that may already
be publicly available, that can be provided to you in addition to any
material found to be in scope.

 7. We will keep you informed of progress. Please contact
[29][BOM request email] if you have any questions about this matter in the
mean time.

Kind regards,

Freedom of Information

[30][BOM request email] | [31]www.bom.gov.au

[32]The Bureau of Meteorology logo. Text reads The Bureau of Meteorology.
Image is a stylised synoptic map of Australia.
[33]Facebook icon. Link to Bureau Facebook page.  [34]Twitter icon. Link
to Bureau Twitter account.  [35]YouTube icon. Link to Bureau YouTube
channel.  [36]Instagram icon. Link to Bureau Instagram
account.  [37]LinkedIn icon. Link to Bureau LinkedIn
profile.  [38]Stylised synoptic map of Australia. Link to Bureau website,
 
[39]Aboriginal The Bureau of Meteorology acknowledges the Traditional
flag and Torres Custodians of Australia and their continuing connection to
Strait Islander land, sea and community.
flag
Important: This message may contain confidential or legally privileged
information. If you think it was sent to you by mistake, please delete all
copies and advise the sender.

 
[40]Banner. Scrolling ticker style with the text The Bureau of severe
weather warning, the harvest and Meteorology.

show quoted sections

Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

 1. We refer to your FOI matter and our previous correspondences.

 2. Please see attached:

 a. the decision in relation to your request; and
 b. relevant documents as described in the decision.

 3. If there are question, please let us know by reply email.

Regards,

Freedom of Information

[1][BOM request email] | [2]www.bom.gov.au

[3]The Bureau of Meteorology logo. Text reads The Bureau of Meteorology.
Image is a stylised synoptic map of Australia.
[4]Facebook icon. Link to Bureau Facebook page.  [5]Twitter icon. Link to
Bureau Twitter account.  [6]YouTube icon. Link to Bureau YouTube
channel.  [7]Instagram icon. Link to Bureau Instagram
account.  [8]LinkedIn icon. Link to Bureau LinkedIn profile.  [9]Stylised
synoptic map of Australia. Link to Bureau website,
 
[10]Aboriginal The Bureau of Meteorology acknowledges the Traditional
flag and Torres Custodians of Australia and their continuing connection to
Strait Islander land, sea and community.
flag
Important: This message may contain confidential or legally privileged
information. If you think it was sent to you by mistake, please delete all
copies and advise the sender.

 
[11]Banner. Scrolling ticker style with the text The Bureau of severe
weather warning, the harvest and Meteorology.

From: FOI <[12][BOM request email]>
Sent: Friday, February 16, 2024 7:47 AM
To: [13][FOI #10992 email]
Cc: FOI <[14][BOM request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
in QLD [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

 1. We write to let you know the Bureau is continuing to progress your FOI
matter towards the date of 1 March 2024.

 2. The Bureau is undertaking the steps necessary to process your FOI
matter – steps which were set out in our s 15AC application to the
OAIC.

Regards,

Freedom of Information

[15][BOM request email] | [16]www.bom.gov.au

[17]The Bureau of Meteorology logo. Text reads The Bureau of Meteorology.
Image is a stylised synoptic map of Australia.
[18]Facebook icon. Link to Bureau Facebook page.  [19]Twitter icon. Link
to Bureau Twitter account.  [20]YouTube icon. Link to Bureau YouTube
channel.  [21]Instagram icon. Link to Bureau Instagram
account.  [22]LinkedIn icon. Link to Bureau LinkedIn
profile.  [23]Stylised synoptic map of Australia. Link to Bureau website,
 
[24]Aboriginal The Bureau of Meteorology acknowledges the Traditional
flag and Torres Custodians of Australia and their continuing connection to
Strait Islander land, sea and community.
flag
Important: This message may contain confidential or legally privileged
information. If you think it was sent to you by mistake, please delete all
copies and advise the sender.

 
[25]Banner. Scrolling ticker style with the text The Bureau of severe
weather warning, the harvest and Meteorology.

From: FOI <[26][BOM request email]>
Sent: Friday, February 2, 2024 4:23 PM
To: CR <[27][FOI #10992 email]>
Cc: FOI <[28][BOM request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
in QLD [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Ref: FOI30/123

Dear CR,

 1. We refer to your email dated 2 February 2024 and our previous
correspondences.

Timeframe:

 2. We will proceed on the basis that you have not agreed to extend the
consultation period (under 24AB(6) and you have not agreed to extend
the time for processing your request (under s 15AA). On that basis,
the consultation period ended on 31 January 2024 and a decision on
your request was due on that day.

 3. Therefore, a decision on your request will be completed out of time.

 4. A decision that is out of time may be considered a deemed refusal and
on that basis it is open to you to seek a review of the decision with
the Australian Information Commissioner under the FOI Act.

 5. Nevertheless, the Bureau will continue to process your request as soon
as practicable. We intend to request an extension of time from the
Information Commissioner in accordance with s 15AC of the FOI Act.

Revised scope:

 6. You have agreed to exclude items 3 and 4 from the scope of your
request. In addition, you have previously agreed to exclude names and
contact details of staff below Executive level and third parties,
duplicate content and early parts of emails streams captured in later
emails. We therefore understand your revised request to be for:

o Item 1: Latest, final version of the procedure handbooks relating to
the provision of severe weather warnings, severe thunderstorm
warnings, and heatwave warnings in the Queensland region. The
procedure handbooks relating to the provision of tropical cyclone
warnings in Australia.

o Item 2: Emails from senior executive staff highlighting amendments to
the above directives, from 1 January 2023 to 18 December 2023 (of the
type released as Document 2 of FOI request 30/5531 (16 April 2012)).

o Item 5: The Queensland Severe Thunderstorm Warnings summary that was
issued monthly throughout the entirety of 2023.

Next steps:

·         We will seek an extension of time from the Information
Commissioner, for dealing with your request and will continue to progress
work on the matter.

·         We will complete document searches based on the revised scope in
relation to Items 1 and 2.

·         We expect that we may need to consult third parties in relation
to some of the documents. Although the Act allows an additional 30 days
for processing requests where third party consultation is required, we
note that in this case the timeframe for processing your request has
already ended and a decision on your request is being completed out of
time; therefore, we will conduct any third-party consultation as quickly
as possible while giving third parties a reasonable opportunity to
respond.

·         In relation to Item 5, we will enquire further with relevant
sections of the Bureau about whether any documents exist within scope,
taking into account the additional information you have provided in regard
to this item, being that you 'note the Severe Thunderstorm Directive
Queensland 2011/12 Season released under FOI request 30/5531 refers to
such summaries being accessible via your information management system
(page 27, item 8.1.2).'

·         In relation to Item 5, you further wrote: 'As the department has
been unable to locate discrete documents responding to this item, the
department must produce a written document under section 15 of the FOI Act
to fulfil this part of my request'. We note that s 17 of the FOI Act
relates to providing access to information that is stored electronically
and is not available in discrete form. The Bureau is aware of our
obligations under this section and will include consideration of all
relevant material within scope of Item 5, including information stored
electronically, as is our regular FOI practice. Our decision on your
request will identify whether any documents exist within scope of Item 5.

·         By way of assistance to you, we will consider whether there are
any materials related to your request, including material that may already
be publicly available, that can be provided to you in addition to any
material found to be in scope.

 7. We will keep you informed of progress. Please contact
[29][BOM request email] if you have any questions about this matter in the
mean time.

Kind regards,

Freedom of Information

[30][BOM request email] | [31]www.bom.gov.au

[32]The Bureau of Meteorology logo. Text reads The Bureau of Meteorology.
Image is a stylised synoptic map of Australia.
[33]Facebook icon. Link to Bureau Facebook page.  [34]Twitter icon. Link
to Bureau Twitter account.  [35]YouTube icon. Link to Bureau YouTube
channel.  [36]Instagram icon. Link to Bureau Instagram
account.  [37]LinkedIn icon. Link to Bureau LinkedIn
profile.  [38]Stylised synoptic map of Australia. Link to Bureau website,
 
[39]Aboriginal The Bureau of Meteorology acknowledges the Traditional
flag and Torres Custodians of Australia and their continuing connection to
Strait Islander land, sea and community.
flag
Important: This message may contain confidential or legally privileged
information. If you think it was sent to you by mistake, please delete all
copies and advise the sender.

 
[40]Banner. Scrolling ticker style with the text The Bureau of severe
weather warning, the harvest and Meteorology.

show quoted sections