Your personal information is important
Central Coast Council recognises that your privacy is very important to you. Unless you give Central Coast Council express consent to act otherwise, the following will govern how Central Coast Council handles your personal information and safeguards your privacy.
Council has adopted a Privacy Management Plan in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (the Privacy Act). It is recommended that you read the Privacy Management Plan prior to submitting any personal information to us.
Any information provided to us is treated in accordance with NSW Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (PPIPA) 1998 and the Government Information Public Access Act (GIPA) 2009.
Collecting information about you
We will only collect personal information directly from you, or your authorised agent. The information collected will be for lawful purposes directly related to the functions of Council. We will only request information that is necessary for the purpose of the collection. If you do not wish to provide personal information to us, Council may be unable to provide you with the services required.
In accordance with the Privacy Act, you can make application to consider suppressing your personal information from a public register held by Council.
Using and disclosing your personal information
Your information will be used for the purpose for which it was collected and your information may be used to understand community and customer needs to improve our services. We may also use your information to let you know about services or other information available (eg newsletters) and we may share your information within other sections of Council, its agents and contractors to expedite services to its customers. The provisions of the Privacy Act bind Council's agents and contractors.
We will only disclose your personal information if:
- you have consented to the disclosure;
- the disclosure is required or authorised by law; or
- where it is necessary to lessen a threat to someone's life or health.
Storage and security of your personal information
Reasonable steps are taken to protect the personal information we holds from misuse, unauthorised access, and modification.
Accessing and updating information we store
If at any time you want to know exactly what personal information Central Coast Council is holding about you, you are welcome to request such information by calling Customer Services on 02 4306 7900.
You can apply to amend your personal information to ensure it is relevant, up to date and complete and not misleading.
Accuracy of your personal information
Reasonable care is taken to ensure that the personal information collected, used or disclosed is accurate, complete and up to date.
How we dispose of your personal information
Council will dispose of your personal information in accordance with the State Records Local Government Records (GA39)
Further information on privacy
Cookies
We track the pattern of visitor usage using a facility called a cookie. This cookie identifies and recognises the computer (but not the person using the computer) when you visit our website.
Cookies are pieces of information that a website can transfer to an individual's computer hard drive for record keeping.
The use of cookies is an industry standard and you will find most major websites use them. Most Internet browsers are pre-set to accept cookies. If you prefer not to receive cookies, you can adjust your internet browser to disable cookies or to warn you when cookies are being used.
Tracking pixels
'Pixels' means the use of pixels (1 x 1 pixel images) to track traffic such as web page visits and link clicks. The data collected will help us to better tailor our content for audiences. All information collected is de-identified and we will never collect or disclose any personal information.
For more information read the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner’s targeted advertising.
Alternatively, you may wish to visit www.allaboutcookies.org which contains details on how to delete cookies from your computer as well as more general information about cookies.
Facebook Pixel use
Council uses Facebook remarketing pixels to aid in customised, targeted follow-up advertising. Council may display interest-based ads to you when you are using Facebook through Facebook’s Custom Audience Tool. This tool allows us to personalise our ads based on your interests, demographics, location and any previous interactions with us.
This website uses the Conversion Tracking Facebook Pixel to allow us to follow your actions once you have been redirected to the website via clicking on one of our Facebook ads. This assists us in recording the effectiveness of Facebook ads for reporting and market research purposes.
The data collected through the Facebook Pixel and provided to us by Facebook is aggregated and remains anonymous, meaning that we cannot see the personal information of the individual user. However, the collected data is also saved and processed by Facebook and used in accordance with Facebook’s Data Use Policy.
Council may also share information about your use of this website and your interactions with our Facebook ads with our trusted social media, advertising and web analytics partners, including Google Analytics.
Facebook Conversion Tracking also allows Facebook and its partners to show you advertisements on and outside Facebook. A cookie will be saved onto your computer for these purposes.
Please visit Facebook Ad Preferences if you wish to revoke your permission.
Links to other websites
Our website contains links to other websites, these linked sites are not under the control of Council.
We are not responsible for the management or protection of any personal information you provide to these sites.
Before disclosing your personal information on any other website, it is recommended you examine the terms and conditions of using their website.
Children's privacy
All reasonable steps are taken to protect the privacy of children. Council asks that children under the age of 18 have a parent or guardian submit personal information on their behalf when required.
Changes to this Statement
We will occasionally update this privacy statement. When it is updated we will revise the 'last updated' date.
How to contact us
If you have any questions please contact our Privacy Officer on 02 4306 7900 or email [email protected]. Other information can be obtained from the Information and Privacy Commission NSW.
Privacy complaints
If you believe a breach of your privacy has occurred, you can make a privacy complaint to us or the Information and Privacy Commission NSW.
You will need to complete the Privacy Internal Review form and lodge it with us or the Commission.
More details regarding privacy can be found on the Information and Privacy Commission NSWIPC's website.