Privacy

Website Privacy Statement

G-MW has created this website privacy statement to demonstrate our firm commitment to privacy. Please note that this statement does not apply to linked websites. When linking to other sites from this website, it is recommended that users familiarise themselves with each site's privacy policy.

Anonymous Access

You may browse the G-MW website anonymously without disclosing your personal information.

Collection of Personal Information

G-MW only collects personal information online when you choose to provide it. Personal information collected via this website may include:

• Content of any electronic forms submitted via this website;

• Content of any messages or comments submitted via this website, or to an email address displayed on this website.

When you email us we will record your email address and only use it for the purpose for which you provided it. Email addresses and other contact details you provide will not be added to a mailing list without your consent.

Collection of Site Visit Data

The G-MW website uses cookies and web beacons. A cookie is a small piece of code that is placed on your computer. A web beacon is a piece of code that is placed on each page that communicates the cookie's content once the page is visited.

Cookies and web beacons are used for statistical and web-development purposes. They may collect the following information:

• each page of the website that you visit
• your server address
• the type of browser you are using
• your operating system
• your top level domain name
• the date and time that each page is accessed

By using cookies G-MW does not retrieve or record any personal information eg. name or email address. To the extent that this data could make you identifiable, G-MW will not attempt to identify you from these records.

Use and Disclosure

G-MW will only use or disclose personal information you provide for the purpose for which it was collected, eg. to respond to a query about out website.

Personal information will not be used or disclosed for any other purpose unless disclosure is required or authorised by the Information Privacy Act 2000 (the Act) or another applicable Act.

Server records may be provided or disclosed to law enforcement agencies in the event of suspected unlawful activity eg. in relation to hacking or abusive messages.

Access and Correction

You have a right to access and correct personal information about you which is held by G-MW.

Simple requests that involve information relating only to you which is easy to retrieve and of a small quantity may be dealt with informally, without the need to submit a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

In other cases, particularly where your request may affect the privacy of another person or relate to commercial activity, requests for access will be administered in accordance with the FOI Act. For information on how to make a freedom of information request please refer to our Freedom of Information page.

If the FOI Act does not apply, G-MW will consider whether access can be granted under IPP 6, the access and correction principle in the Act.

Security

G-MW has security measures in place to protect the personal information in its possession.

You should be aware that there are risks in transmitting information across the internet and as such G-MW cannot ensure the security of any information it receives online. Once we receive personal information we will take reasonable steps to protect that information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.

If you are concerned about conveying sensitive material to G-MW over the internet, you may prefer to contact us by telephone, mail or in person.

Further Information

For further information please refer to our Privacy Policy below or contact the Privacy Officer:

Privacy Officer
Goulburn-Murray Water
PO Box 165
Tatura 3616

Telephone: (03) 5826 3500

Email: privacy@g-mwater.com.au

Privacy Policy

This privacy policy provides the framework for the use and management of personal information collected by Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW).

Personal information is information, whether fact or opinion, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained from the information or opinion.

G-MW manages the personal information it collects in accordance with the ten Information Privacy Principles (IPPs) contained in the Information Privacy Act 2000 (the Act).

Collection

G-MW only collects personal information when it is necessary for its functions or services. This includes information needed to manage or administer those functions or services. Typical collections include:

• Names
• Addresses
• Telephone numbers
• Email addresses
• Personal images
• Banking details

Personal information is collected wherever possible from you directly. G-MW's aim is to collect it lawfully, fairly and without undue intrusion.

At the time information is collected, G-MW will take reasonable steps to advise you of what information is being sought, for what purpose, to whom the information may be disclosed,  whether any law requires the collection, your right to access the information and the main consequences, if any, of not providing the information.

Use and Disclosure

In most instances, G-MW uses or discloses personal information only for the primary purpose for which it was collected. This may include:

• To provide services to customers
• To communicate with contractors and suppliers
• To consider applications for employment
• To provide administration for employees within G-MW
• To reply to correspondence
• To comply with legal obligations

Occasionally G-MW may use or disclose your personal information for a logically related secondary purpose you would reasonably expect. This will only occur with your consent or where the Act authorises the use or disclosure. In some cases, other Acts may also require or authorise G-MW to disclose personal information.

G-MW may occasionally disclose de-identified and/or aggregated data to other government agencies for research or statistical purposes. In such cases G-MW will do so without disclosing your personal information.

Data Quality

G-MW endeavours to ensure that the personal information it collects, uses or discloses is accurate, complete and up to date.

In many instances G-MW relies on you to provide accurate and complete information and to advise G-MW in the event that your circumstances or details change.

Data Security

G-MW seeks to hold your personal information securely.

A number of procedural, physical, hardware and software safeguards are used to protect your personal information. We also use secure methods of communication and back-up systems to protect information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.

G-MW takes reasonable steps to destroy personal information when it is no longer required for any purpose, except where archiving is required in compliance with the Public Records Act 1973.

Access and Correction

You have a right to access and correct your personal information.

Simple requests that involve information relating only to you which is easy to retrieve and of a small quantity may be dealt with informally, without the need to submit a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

In most cases, particularly where your request may affect the privacy of another person or relate to commercial activity, requests for access will be administered in accordance with the FOI Act.

If the FOI Act does not apply, G-MW will consider whether access can be granted under IPP 6, the access and correction principle in the Act.

Unique Identifiers

A unique identifier is a code assigned by an organisation consisting of numbers, letters and/or characters (other than a persons name) used to identify or refer to a person, eg. a driver's licence number.

G-MW does not assign or use unique identifiers unless it is necessary to enable G-MW to carry out any of its functions efficiently.

G-MW does not disclose unique identifiers unless there is a lawful basis for doing so.

Anonymity

Where it is lawful and practicable to do so, you have the option of dealing with G-MW anonymously.

Transfer of Information Outside Victoria

G-MW only transfers your personal information outside the state of Victoria in accordance with the Act. In such instances G-MW seeks to ensure that your personal information is afforded the same level of privacy protection it would receive in Victoria.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive information includes information about an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions or memberships, religious beliefs or affiliations, philosophical beliefs, professional or trade association/union memberships, sexual preferences and practices or criminal record.

The Act places greater restrictions on the collection and handling of this type of information.

G-MW only collects sensitive information with your consent or where required by law. Sensitive information will only be used and disclosed for the primary purpose for which it was collected or a directly related secondary purpose.

Health Information

G-MW protects personal health information in accordance with the requirements of the Health Records Act 2001.

Complaints

The Act provides that you may complain if you believe that your privacy has been breached.

G-MW is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information. If you suspect that your privacy has been interfered with and would like to make a complaint, please complete the G-MW Privacy Complaint Form and send to the Privacy Officer (see contact details below).

Further Information

For further information about any aspect of this policy please contact the Privacy Officer.

Privacy Officer
Goulburn-Murray Water
PO Box 165
TATURA  VIC  3616
 
Telephone: (03) 5826 3500

Email: privacy@g-mwater.com.au