Privacy Statement

The City of Canning (City) values the privacy of our residents, customers, and stakeholders, and views the protection of your privacy as an integral part of our commitment towards accountability and integrity in all our activities and programs. This Privacy Statement outlines how we treat and handle your Personal and Sensitive information.

Definitions

Personal Information

Refers to any detail that identifies an individual or could reasonably be used to identify them. This includes names, addresses, dates of birth, or contact details, as well as online identifiers such as usernames or tracking information. It also encompasses information about a person’s location, activities, preferences, behaviours, or profiles created by analysing other data. Examples include:

• Name and contact details.
• Online identifiers such as IP addresses.
• Location or activity data collected through City websites.
• CCTV Footage.

Sensitive Information

A specific category of Personal Information that requires additional safeguards. It includes details about an individual’s racial or ethnic background, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, political views or memberships, health, or disability, genetic or biometric data, criminal record, or memberships in organisations such as unions or professional bodies. Examples include:

• Health records or disability status.
• Religious or political affiliations.
• Genetic or biometric identifiers.

While all Sensitive Information is personal, not all Personal Information falls into the sensitive category.

Associated Legislation

This Privacy Statement complies with the following legislation:

• Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024 (WA) (PRIS): Establishes principles for responsible sharing and safeguarding of personal data.
• Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth): Sets standards for how organisations handle personal information.
• Freedom of Information Act 1992 (WA): Governs access to public information while protecting privacy.
• Local Government Act 1995 (WA): Provides guidelines for governance and privacy in local government.
• State Records Act 2000 (WA): Details requirements for managing and protecting records with the retention and destruction of records done in accordance with the Local Government General Retention and Disposal Authority (LG GRDA).

Information Collection

The City collects Personal Information to fulfil its services, functions, and legal obligations. Examples of collection may include:

• Registering for events or programs.
• Joining services or facilities.
• Submitting public consultations or planning applications.
• Corresponding or making service requests.

The City maintains a database of properties, including owners’ names, addresses, and records of property-related complaints or inquiries.

Collection through City of Canning Websites

The City may collect the following for statistical purposes:

• The user’s IP address and machine name.
• The date and time of the visit.
• Pages accessed and documents downloaded.
• Referring page addresses and search terms.
• Browser type and data transmission volumes.

This data is analysed to improve website services. Users may opt out of non-essential data collection by adjusting their browser settings.

Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit websites. They store information such as preferences or login details to improve your browsing experience. You can manage or delete cookies at any time through your browser settings.

Links to External Sites

The City’s websites may contain links to external domains. These links do not imply endorsement or responsibility for the external sites’ content or privacy practices. Users are encouraged to review the privacy terms of third-party sites before interacting with them.

Social Media

The City utilises social media platforms to promote and share information about its services and activities. Personal Information collected through these interactions is used solely to communicate with the community. Users should also review the privacy policies of social media platforms to understand how their information is managed.

Why We Collect Information

We collect your Personal Information, including email addresses, phone numbers, and addresses, to:

• Communicate with you as a ratepayer, resident, customer or stakeholder.
• Manage rates, debts, complaints, service delivery, and service updates.
• Conduct surveys and maintain contact lists.
• To able the City to deliver its services to the community in general.

Use and Disclosure

Your Personal Information will only be used

• for the purpose for which it was collected, or
• as required to do so by Law, or 
• for related City of Canning activities that you would reasonably expect.
  • Examples include:
    • Managing applications, permits, billing, and development proposals.
    • Maintaining records to fulfil municipal duties.
    • Providing information about services or facilities.

Third-Party Disclosure

Where Personal information is to be disclosed, it may only be done so in accordance with the Information Privacy Principles and Responsible Information Sharing processes as defined in the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act, 2024.

Public Registers

The City will only disclose Personal Information in a public register for purposes related to the register’s intended use or as required by legislation.

How we project your Personal Information

Your information is safeguarded using:

• Secure storage systems.
• Access restricted to only those individuals who have been authorised and granted permission.
• Cyber Security measures that are compliant with industry best practices.
• Data that is encrypted both in transit and at rest, where possible.

Accuracy of Information

To ensure the accuracy, completeness, and currency of your Personal Information, please submit a service request.