Council has an obligation to protect the privacy of site users. This statement describes what information is collected, and why it is collected.
Newcastle City Council is committed to protecting your personal information. This Statement outlines Council’s practices relating to personal information obtained through access to its website. This statement is provided in accordance with the “Guidelines for Government Websites” issued by the Australian Privacy Commissioner.
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. Newcastle City Council respects and protects the privacy of users.
Council 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.
Council will only request information that is necessary for the purpose of the collection.
If you do not wish to provide personal information to Council, it may be unable to provide you with the services required.
In accordance with the Privacy Act you can make application for Council to consider suppressing your personal information from a public register held by Council.
If you visit Council’s website to read or download information, the following information will be recorded for statistical purposes:
The above information is used to create summary statistics which allow Council to assess the number of visitors to the different sections of its site, discover what information is most and least used, determine technical design specifications, and help it make its site more useful to visitors.
Council will use your information for the purpose for which it was collected.
Council will use your information to understand community and customer needs to continuously improve its services.
Council may use your information to let you know about its services or other information available. (eg Newsletters).
Council 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.
Disclosure of your Personal Information
Council will only disclose your personal information if: you have consented to the disclosure. The disclosure is required or permitted by legislation. Where it is necessary to lessen a threat to someone’s life or health.
Council will take reasonable care to ensure that the personal information it collects, uses or discloses is accurate, complete and up to date.
Council will take all reasonable steps to protect the personal information it holds from misuse, unauthorised access and modification.
If you want to know exactly what personal information Council is holding about you, you are welcome to request such information by contacting Council’s Privacy Officer.
You can apply to Council to amend your personal information to ensure it is relevant, up to date, complete and not misleading.
Council will dispose of your personal information in accordance with the State Records General Disposal Authority.10 (GDA10).
Cookies
Council tracks 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 Council’s 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.
Links to other Websites
Council’s website contains links to other websites. These linked sites are not under the control of Council.
Council is not responsible for the management or protection of any personal information you provide to these sites.
Before disclosing your personal information on any other web-site Council recommends you examine the terms and conditions of using that website.
Children’s Privacy
Council will take all reasonable steps 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.
Contacting Newcastle City Council Online by e-mail
Newcastle City Council will only record your e-mail address if you choose to send it a message. It will only be used for the purpose for which you have provided it and will not be added to any mailing list. Council will not use your e-mail address for any other purpose, and will not disclose it without your consent.
Subscribe and Unsubscribe e-mail Service
The Newcastle City Council Online site offers a subscribe and unsubscribe e-mail service for those people who wish to receive the Newcastle City Council Online news and other updates via its list-serv system. When you subscribe to this service your e-mail address and, as an option, your name is added to a database. This information is used only to provide the service and will not be used for any other purpose, and it will not be disclosed without your consent.
Council will occasionally update this privacy statement. When it is updated Council will revise the “last updated” date at the top of the statement.
If you have any questions please contact us or telephone Councils Privacy Officer on 4974 2118.
Other information can be obtained from Privacy NSW.
Council reserves copyright on its publications.
The content of this site is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of any such content may be reproduced, modified, adapted or published in any way for any commercial purposes whatsoever.
Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and copyright should be addressed in writing to:
The General Manager
Newcastle City Council
PO Box 489
NEWCASTLE NSW 2300
Newcastle City Council has no control over the content of material accessible on any site cross-referenced. It accordingly is the responsibility of the Internet user to make their own decisions about the relevance or accuracy, currency and reliability of information found on those sites.
In addition, Newcastle City Council does not necessarily endorse or support the views, opinions, standards or information expressed at linked sites. They have been set up as information sources only.
Newcastle City Council is committed to quality service and makes every attempt to ensure accuracy, currency and reliability of the data contained in these documents. However changes in circumstances after time of publication may impact the quality of this information. It is the responsibility of the user to make his/her own decisions about the correctness of information found.
Department of Local Government PPIPA Management Plan (110Kb PDF). The Management Plan provides a framework to guide councils in helping to manage the State of New South Wales' relationship with local government.
Hunter Councils Personal and Privacy Management Procedures (372Kb PDF). A tool to assist Local Government in the Hunter Valley in the management, storage and collection of personal and private information.
PPIP Code of Practice for Local Government (122Kb PDF). This Privacy Code of Practice is made under Part 3 Division 1 of the PPIP Act. The effect of this Code is to modify :
Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (247Kb PDF). PDF version of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.