Processing scenario : deadlines

On 1 November 2010 you receive an FOI request from the Friends of the Earth (FOE) seeking access to "all documents relating to water rights in the Murray-Darling Basin". On 9 November you advise them via email of the need to reduce the scope of their request as it would substantially and unreasonably divert the resources of the agency.

The Friends of the Earth responds on November 22, reducing the scope to "All documents relating to water rights agreements signed between November 2007 and September 2010". You assess the work involved and estimate approximately 35 hours is required. On December 1 you send a Charges Notice asking for a deposit of 25%. On December 5 the FOE send an email applying for the charges to be waived or reduced. On 13 December you advise them of a reduction of 50% on public interest grounds. The FOE send a cheque for the correct amount which you receive on 30 December. You commence processing the request and identify the need to consult several pastoralists concerning their business information.

What is the deadline for your decision?

What other options could you consider under the Act which might affect the deadline?

November 2010
Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	27	30
December 2010
Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
			1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	31
January 2011
Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
						1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	31
February 2011
Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28
March 2011
Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31