Introduction

This following document sets forth the Privacy Policy for the Mudgee Region Business website.

Mid-Western Regional Council is committed to providing quality services, and this policy outlines Council’s ongoing obligations in respect of how it manages Personal Information.

The purpose of this business network site is to promote local business, thus the site contains messaging features that allow users to message businesses, project or event managers. You have controls when creating projects, businesses or events to hide direct contact information. The privacy policy contains links to information on how to turn off messaging for your projects, or how to remove your contact details from your business or individual profile page.

Council has adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of Personal Information.

A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.aoic.gov.au

What is Personal Information and why is it collected?

Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information collected include: names, Business addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers.

This Personal Information is obtained via Mudgee Region Business, from your website, direct customer support communications, from media and publications, from other publicly available sources, from cookies and from third parties. Council does not guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.

Personal Information is collected for the primary purpose of providing services, information to clients, and marketing. Personal Information may also be used for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in reasonable circumstances of such use or disclosure. You may unsubscribe from mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing.

There are many aspects of the site which can be viewed without providing personal information, however, for access to customer support features personally identifiable information is required to be submitted. This may include, however not limited to a unique username and password, or providing sensitive information in the recovery of a lost password.

When Personal Information is collected Council will, where appropriate and where possible, explain why the information is being collected and the plan to use it.

Use of your personal information

For each visitor to reach the site, we expressively collect the following non-personally identifiable information, including but not limited to browser type, version and language, operating system, pages viewed while browsing the Site, page access times and referring website address. This collected information is used solely internally for the purpose of gauging visitor traffic, trends and delivering personalised content to you while you are at this site.

From time to time, Council may use customer information for new, unanticipated uses not previously disclosed in our privacy notice. If information practices change at some time in the future Council will use for these new purposes only, data collected from the time of the policy change forward will adhere to our updated practices.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.

Sensitive information will be used by Council only:

• For the primary purpose for which it was obtained
• For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose
• With your consent; or where required or authorised by law

Third Parties

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, Council will collect Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.

Council uses a Third Party hosting provider located in Australia. This is to ensure optimal availability and performance.

Business details, including name and contact information, may be used to improve Council’s economic development planning and communications. By joining Mudgee Region Business you are in effect joining Council's local business register, and as such you may be communicated directly by Council. By registering on Mudgee Region Business you agree to the sharing of your information with Mid-Western Regional Council.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in only limited circumstances including the following:

• Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and
• Where required or authorised by law.

Security of Personal Information

Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, Council will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify it. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept for a minimum of 7 years.

Access to your Personal Information

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing. In order to protect your Personal Information, Council will require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information

It is important to us that Personal Information is up to date. Users can ensure their Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date by reviewing their profiles/accounts and making changes under their account when required. If you find that personal information is not up to date or is inaccurate, and you would prefer the web host to update the information please contact support@regionalbusinesstoolkit.com.au as soon as practicable so records can be updated records and to ensure the continuation of quality services provision.

Policy Updates

This Policy may change from time to time and is available on Mudgee Region Business.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

Mid-Western Regional Council reserves the right to make amendments to this Privacy Policy at any time.

Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries

If you have any queries or complaints about the Privacy Policy please contact us at the details below or use the form on the contact page.

Mid-Western Regional Council
86 Market Street, Mudgee NSW 2850
(02) 6378 2850
council@midwestern.nsw.gov.au