Policies and disclosures

Development Victoria is committed to developing and maintaining a strong integrity culture and upholding the highest standards of accountability.

Use the tabbed navigation above to view our policies and disclosures information.  

Development Victoria’s Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy and Procedure comply with the minimum accountabilities set out under the Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Framework issued by the Victorian Public Sector Commission. 

For more information, visit the Victorian Public Sector Commission website.

Public interest disclosure

Development Victoria is committed to upholding the aims and objectives of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012. It does not tolerate improper or corrupt conduct by its employees or officers, nor the taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclose such conduct.

Development Victoria recognises the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper or corrupt conduct or reveal taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclose such conduct.

Development Victoria will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make such disclosures from any detrimental action undertaken in reprisal for making the disclosure. It will also afford natural justice to the person who is the subject of the disclosure.

For further information, please see our policy and procedure information at the bottom of this page. 

How do I report an allegation?

If you wish to make a public interest disclosure about Development Victoria, or one of our employees or officers, you must make that disclosure directly to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), the Victorian Ombudsman or the Victorian Inspectorate in accordance with their respective Procedures and Guidelines.

Development Victoria is not authorised to receive public interest disclosures. If you make a disclosure to Development Victoria, it will not be a disclosure made in accordance with Part 2 of the Public Interest Disclosure Act and will not contain the relevant protections.

Contact

Privacy policy

Development Victoria’s approach to privacy

Development Victoria is committed to the responsible handling of personal information in a manner consistent with the Information Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic).

This statement sets out how Development Victoria handles your personal and health information and applies to all our contact with you whether in person, over the telephone or online.

What is personal information?

Personal information is recorded information about an identifiable or easily identifiable individual. The types of information we collect may include name, address, email address, telephone numbers, date of birth, gender, photographs and financial details.

Why does Development Victoria collect personal information?

Development Victoria is the Victorian government's property development agency.

Development Victoria collects personal information to deliver its functions under the Development Victoria Act 2003 (Vic) and the Docklands Act 1991 (Vic).

The functions of Development Victoria include carrying out land development and social and economic capital works projects, carrying out or managing urban renewal projects, contributing to government urban planning and development policies and completing the development of the Docklands area.

When delivering its functions, Development Victoria may collect personal information to:

1. conduct market research and marketing activities (including promotions, competitions and the compilation of statistics);
2. carry out community engagement activities;
3. respond to public enquiries, requests for information and registrations of interests;
4. develop or sell land or property to private buyers;
5. manage its workforce and contractors (including prospective employees); and
6. respond to complaints or concerns.

How we collect your personal information

Depending on the nature of your contact with Development Victoria, we may collect your personal information:

1. from application and registration forms, contests, complaints or surveys;
2. through employment related processes;
3. over the telephone or in person;
4. from our website (see www.development.vic.gov.au); or
5. through our contracted service providers including our sales agents and call centre operators.

Whenever we collect personal information, we will take steps to advise you of why we are collecting the information, what we intend to do with it and to whom we need to disclose it.

When do we disclose personal information?

To be able to perform our functions, we may need to disclose your personal information within Development Victoria, within government and to third parties, including:

1. our third party service providers, including our sales agents, professional services or information technology providers;
2. any development partners involved in a property in which you are interested; and
3. our third party providers contracted to deliver services to a property that you have purchased. 

How do we store and protect your personal information?

Development Victoria stores personal information in electronic and hard-copy.

We have implemented technology and security policies, rules and measures to protect the personal information that we have under our control. However, you should be aware that there are risks in transmitting information across the Internet.

While we aim to protect such information, we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information transmitted to us online, so individuals do so at their own risk. Once any personal information comes into our possession, we will take reasonable steps to protect that information from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.

Access to your information

You can request access to the personal information we hold about you. We will try to give you access with as little formality as possible and without charging a fee. However, where your request is difficult or time consuming, or where it involves personal information about other people, we may require you to use Freedom of Information Act procedures to make the request.

If you become aware that the personal information we hold about you is not accurate, complete or up to date, you can ask us to correct it.

Development Victoria's contact details can be found at www.development.vic.gov.au 

Social Media

Please be aware that information posted on our social network channels - LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram or Facebook (including original/edited/deleted comments, replies, private messages, usernames, images, videos and metadata) will be collected by our contracted service provider, to ensure that Development Victoria complies with legislative obligations under the Public Records Act 1973. 

Development Victoria may collect information you provide on social media (such as your publicly visible name and photo), for the purpose of monitoring, evaluating and/or improving the quality of Development Victoria’s communications or services.

Development Victoria is committed to protecting your privacy. We will not disclose your personal information to any other parties without your consent, except where required to do so by law. 

Each social media platform has inbuilt privacy settings. We recommend that you regularly check and configure the privacy settings for your profiles and accounts to make sure that you know what information you are making available, and to which audience.

Privacy complaints

If you are unhappy about the way we handle your personal information you may lodge a complaint in person, by telephone or in writing. We may require you to put an oral complaint in writing.

You may lodge a privacy complaint at any time at the details below:

Group Head, Legal and Advisory
Development Victoria
Level 9, 8 Exhibition Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000

Ph: 03 8317 3400

If you are not satisfied with how Development Victoria handles your complaint you may contact the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner at www.ovic.vic.gov.au or on 1300 006 842.

Modern slavery policy

Purpose 

The purpose of this policy is to:

(a) ensure that the goods and services purchased through Development Victoria’s supply and value chains and in connection with our property development and social and capital works projects are ethical and minimise or eradicate Modern Slavery risks; and

(b) set out the responsibilities of Development Victoria, its employees, suppliers, business partners and development partners in observing and upholding Development Victoria’s position on Modern Slavery, including meeting Development Victoria’s obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth).

Scope

This policy applies to all:

(a) Development Victoria employees and contractors engaged and undertaking work on behalf of Development Victoria wherever they may be located (referred to as personnel);

(b) Development Victoria operations, activities and all dealings with third parties whether they be with public sector entities, private organisations, individuals or any representatives of such persons.

(c) Suppliers, business partners and development partners when supplying goods and services, working on projects or otherwise engaging with Development Victoria.

Definitions

For the purpose of this Policy, Modern Slavery is defined in accordance with the definitions provided in the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth), that is, including:

(a) slavery (the condition of a victim over whom any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised, including where such a condition results from a debt or contract made by the victim);

(b) servitude (the condition of a victim who provides labour or services including sexual services and because of the use of coercion, threat or deception, they are not free to stop working or leave their place of work and are significantly deprived of personal freedom);

(c) forced labour (the condition of a victim who provides labour or services and because of the use of coercion, threat or deception, they are not free to stop working or leave their place of work);

(d) deceptive recruiting (the condition of a victim being deceived about whether they will be exploited through a form of modern slavery);

(e) forced marriage (where coercion, threats or deception are used or where the victim does not understand or is incapable of understanding the nature and effect of the marriage ceremony which causes the victim to marry without their free or full consent);

(f) debt bondage (the condition of a victim's services being pledged as security for a debt, the debt is manifestly excessive, the reasonable value of the victim's services are not used to liquidate the debt, or the length and nature of the victim's services are not limited and defined);  

(g) trafficking in persons (the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of coercion, threat or deception, for exploitation through modern slavery); 

(h) the worst forms of child labour including:

(i) where children are exploited through slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage, serfdom and forced or compulsory labour;

(ii) the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances;

(iii) the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs; and

(iv) children are engaged in work which is likely to harm their "health, safety or morals"; and

(v) offences relating to use of children for production of child abuse material and to the production, dissemination or possession of child abuse material.

Requirements 

Development Victoria endeavours to ensure that we, and our personnel, comply with all Modern Slavery laws, within our operations and supply chains, endeavouring to ensure:

(a) employment is freely chosen;

(b) child labour is not used;

(c) a living wage is paid to all individuals;

(d) individuals are not required to work excessive hours; and

(e) any actions taken in the response to any instances of modern slavery are in the best interests of the suspected victim or victims.

Development Victoria commits to working with our suppliers, business partners and development partners to implement this policy and comply with the following requirements relating to the risks of Modern Slavery:

(a) suppliers, business partners and development partners must not employ children under the legal age of employment in any country or local jurisdiction.  If the minimum age of employment is not defined, it must be 15 years of age.  Workers under the age of 18 must only perform work in accordance with legal requirements (e.g. with regards to working time, wages and working conditions) and subject to any requirement regarding education or training; 

(b) suppliers, business partners and development partners must not use any form of forced, bonded or involuntary labour.  All labour must be voluntary.  Workers must be allowed to maintain control over their identification documents (e.g. passports, work permits or any other personal legal documents).  Workers must not be required to pay fees or make any payment connected to obtaining employment throughout the hiring process and the employment period.  The supplier, business partner or development partner must be responsible for payment of all fees and expenses (e.g. licences and levies) relating to workers, where legally required; 

(c) punishment and/or mental or physical coercion are prohibited.  Disciplinary policies and procedures must be clearly defined and communicated to workers; 

(d) suppliers, business partners development partners must comply with all applicable national laws and mandatory industry standards regarding working hours, overtime, wages and benefits.  Workers must be paid in a timely manner and the basis on which workers are being paid must be clearly conveyed to them; 

(e) deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure must not be allowed, if not legally permitted and even where legally permitted, should be minimised;

(f) suppliers, business partners and development partners must notify Development Victoria of any breaches (including any pending charges) of any laws related to Modern Slavery or prohibited business practices.

Development Victoria’s expectations as set out in this Policy, must be communicated to all suppliers, business partners and development partners at the outset of our business relationship with them.

Personnel who have concerns that conduct by a supplier, business partner or development partner may constitute Modern Slavery, or a breach of laws related to Modern Slavery or prohibited business practices, must contact the relevant Group Head and/or the General Counsel.

Responsibility for Policy

This policy is endorsed by Development Victoria’s Executive Team.

The Senior Procurement and Contract Manager has primary and day-to-day responsibility for implementing this policy, and for monitoring its use and effectiveness.

Management at all levels are responsible for ensuring those reporting to them are made aware of and understand this policy.

This policy will be subject to annual review.

Freedom of Information

Under the Victorian Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), every person has the right to request access to documents held by Victorian public sector agencies, including Development Victoria. This right of access is subject to exceptions and exemptions necessary to protect essential public and private interests.

Further information on the process of making an application under the FOI Act, together with an overview of our activities and the types of documents we may hold is available below.

How to request documents from Development Victoria

For a FOI Request to be valid, it must be made in writing, identify as clearly as possible which documents are being requested and be accompanied by the appropriate application fee (which is currently $31.80). If payment of the application fee would cause financial hardship, please provide a copy of your pension card or health care card so we can consider waiving the application fee.

Payment of the application fee can be made by EFT or cheque payable to Development Victoria.

For more information or to make a payment please contact Development Victoria’s Freedom of Information Officer:
foi@development.vic.gov.au

Requests for documents should be addressed to:

Development Victoria
Freedom of Information Officer
Level 9, 8 Exhibition Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000

foi@development.vic.gov.au

General information on lodging requests can be found here:
www.foi.vic.gov.au

Before you make a request

You are encouraged to check whether the information or document you are seeking is already available in publications such as our annual report or this website.

If you cannot find the information or document you are seeking, you may contact us by email at foi@development.vic.gov.au and ask if the information or document you are seeking is available or can be provided to you.

In some instances, we will be able to provide you with the information you are seeking without requiring you to make a formal request for access. 

Processing your request 

Once we receive your request, an authorised FOI Officer will review it to make sure all the necessary information has been included and the documents you’re requesting have been clearly identified. The FOI Officer will contact you if they need more information.

After receiving a valid request, we will:

• write to you to confirm the parameters of your request and the statutory due date
• liaise with the relevant Development Victoria officers to ascertain the scope of your request
• request documents from the relevant work areas
• review the documents received to see if any additional documents are required
• remove irrelevant documents or sections of documents
• consider whether any exemptions could prevent the disclosure of the documents
• remove all exempt material from the documents or sections of documents
• consult with external organisations and individuals, as required under the FOI Act
• compile a determination letter which lists the:
  
  
• documents, or parts thereof, which are to be released
• documents that couldn’t be located
• any exemptions that have been applied
• your appeal rights

Timeframes

We must provide a decision on your request within 30 days of receiving a valid request unless the statutory period has been extended in accordance with the FOI Act. The period starts when:

• your request is viewed as sufficiently clear for us to process, and
• your application fee has been paid or evidence has been provided to waive the fee.

If we estimate the cost of your request is likely to exceed $50, we’ll write and ask for a deposit. We’ll also suggest practical alternatives to reduce the charges. The 30 days allowed for processing a request starts when we receive your deposit payment.

We will extend the 30 day period by 15 days if consultation with third parties is required. 

Exemptions that may apply

All FOI Requests are subject to exemptions which exist to protect essential public and private interests. Development Victoria will assess each requested document and decide whether the information can be released. In some cases, you may be refused access to an entire document, or you may be given access to a document with exempt or irrelevant information removed.

The FOI Act contains exemptions which may apply to:

• Cabinet documents or information
• Internal working documents containing opinion, advice or recommendation
• Law enforcement documents
• Documents covered by legal professional privilege 
• Documents containing personal information about other people
• Documents containing information provided to Development Victoria in confidence
• Documents containing the business or commercial information of external undertakings
• Documents containing Development Victoria’s business or commercial information
• Documents which are covered by secrecy provisions in other legislation.

Charges that will apply

As well as the FOI application fee, there are also fees to access any documents we determine to release. These fees are made under the Freedom of Information (Access Charges) Regulations 2014.

Search charges - $23.90

Inspection supervision - $23.90 per hour, to be calculated per quarter hour or part thereof.

Photocopying – 20 cents per black and white A4 page

Access in a form other than photocopies – the reasonable costs incurred by the agency in providing the written document

If it becomes apparent that the access charges may exceed $50, we will write to you to advise you of the anticipated charge and to also seek a deposit from you. 

Former employees' records

Development Victoria also holds former employees’ records.

You do not ordinarily need to make an FOI request to access these records. Please contact foi@development.vic.gov.au in the first instance and we will direct your request as appropriate.

Your appeal rights

You can apply for a review when Development Victoria decides, under the FOI Act, to:

• refuse or deny access in full or in part to a document
• refuse to amend a record containing your personal information
• defer access to a document; or
• not waive or reduce an application fee.

You must seek a review within 28 days of receiving your decision letter by writing to:

Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner
PO Box 24274
Melbourne Victoria 3001

Phone: 1300 006 842
Email: enquiries@ovic.vic.gov.au
Website: www.ovic.vic.gov.au

Freedom of Information Part II Information Statement

The FOI Part II Information Statement demonstrates how Development Victoria is making information available to the public. Making information easily accessible reduces the need for you to submit requests under the Freedom of Information Act.

This Website outlines the role of Development Victoria and sets out information about key services, functions, reports and outputs.

Organisation and functions of Development Victoria (FOI Statement 1)

Development Victoria is the statutory authority that manages the development and revitalisation of public buildings and land in Victoria. It provides a single contact point for customers wanting information on public land redevelopment projects.

Development Victoria was established in April 2017 with the aim of:

1. carrying out, managing and/or coordinating property development and social and economic capital works projects that have the objective of optimising the social and economic value of surplus and underutilised Crown land, and other Crown land or public land;
2. providing technical and commercial advice in respect of property development and social and economic capital works projects to Departments and public statutory bodies; and
3. completing certain government and government agency projects including development of the Docklands area, Revitalising Central Dandenong and redeveloping Melbourne Park.

Further information on the Development Victoria Board and the Development Victoria Leadership Team.

Categories of documents held by Development Victoria (FOI Statement 2)

Development Victoria creates a large number of documents and records in the course of its work. Development Victoria uses an Electronic Document and Records Management System to classify, store, access and manage a broad range of electronic and hard copy records.

The types of documents that Development Victoria handles includes:

1. policies, procedures and standards;
2. briefings and reports;
3. registers;
4. correspondence;
5. financial records;
6. photographs, images, and multimedia objects;
7. maps and plans; and
8. annual reports.

Freedom of Information arrangements (FOI Statement 3)

The Freedom of Information Act provides members of the public with the right to request certain information. For further information, please refer to the above section on how to access our information.

Publications, rules, policies, procedures and reports (FOI Statements 4, 5 and 6)

Information relating to Development Victoria’s organisation and functions can be found at various locations, including this website and online publications.

Development Victoria publishes a wide range of information including certain reports, some of which can be found on this website and do not require an FOI request to be made.

Development Victoria is required to report annually in respect of its operations, in accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994.

Previous Annual Reports can be found on our Annual Reports page on our website. 

Additional information, specified by Financial Reporting Direction 22C, is available on request to relevant Ministers, Members of Parliament and the public (subject to FOI requirements, if applicable).

Other publications produced by Development Victoria which are available through this website are:

• Publications
• Docklands – Publications
• Revitalising Central Dandenong – Publications

General information on lodging requests and whole of Victorian Government FOI

Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality

Development Victoria’s Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy and Procedure comply with the minimum accountabilities set out under the Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Framework issued by the Victorian Public Sector Commission.

The Development Victoria Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Register is published annually.

For more information, see the Victorian Public Sector Commission website: www.vpsc.vic.gov.au