Privacy
Kempsey Shire Council is required to manage personal information under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW). This includes the collection, storage, use, disclosure and amendment of personal information that Council holds.
What is personal information?
Personal information is information about an individual whose identity is apparent or can be ascertained from the information.
What is not personal information?
Personal information does not include information that is contained in a publicly available document – for example, in a newspaper, book, magazine or Council meeting business paper.
Privacy Management Plan
Council is required to have a privacy management plan that details how it manages personal information.
The information on this page conforms with Council’s Privacy Management Plan and explains how your personal information will be treated when you interact with this website.
What we collect
We will only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for our functions and activities. We will generally collect personal information directly from you where practicable. Where we collect personal information from you, we will take reasonable steps to ensure you are aware of: why we are collecting it, what we will use it for, who we may share it with, whether it is required or authorised by law (or voluntary), and how you can access and correct it. You can access our website home page and browse our site without disclosing personal information.
When you visit this website, our internet service provider may make a record of your visit and log the following information for statistical, security and operational purposes:
- your server address
- your top level domain name (such as .com, .gov, .au, .uk)
- the date and time of your visit
- the pages you accessed and documents you downloaded
- the previous site you visited
- the type of browser you are using.
These website logs are not used by Council to identify you. We may use de-identified and aggregated information to understand how our website is used and to improve our services. If we use cookies or similar technologies, they are used for basic site functionality and analytics; you can manage cookies through your browser settings.
No attempt will be made to identify users or their browsing activities except where required or authorised by law, for example where a law enforcement agency exercises lawful authority to obtain access to information.
How we use your data
We will use the personal information you provide for the purpose for which it was collected, or for a directly related purpose where you would reasonably expect that use. We may disclose personal information where you consent, where it is required or authorised by law, or where it is necessary to carry out Council functions (for example, to service providers and contractors engaged by Council) and appropriate safeguards are in place.
We will record your email address only if you send us a message, make an enquiry, or request a publication or service. Your email address will be used to respond to you and, where relevant, to manage the matter you contacted us about. It will only be added to a mailing list if you request this. We will not use your email address for unrelated marketing purposes. We may disclose your email address where required or authorised by law or where necessary to deliver a service (for example, to an IT or mailing service provider acting on Council’s behalf).
Data protection and security
Council is committed to protecting personal information through administrative, physical and technical safeguards. We handle, store and dispose of information in accordance with relevant laws and Council policies (including records management requirements). We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from loss, unauthorised access, modification, use or disclosure.
Third party sites
Our website provides links to other websites. We are not responsible for the content and the privacy practices of other websites. We encourage you to examine each site’s privacy policy and make your own decisions about the currency, accuracy or completeness of any information found.
What we do with feedback and form information
This website provides feedback facilities to allow you to provide input into the future development of the Kempsey Shire Council website and to comment on Council services and activities.
We may request personal information so we can act on your request or provide a reply to your feedback, if you have asked for this. Providing personal information to us is voluntary. However, if you do not provide contact details, we will have no way of communicating with you.
The information you provide will be used only for the purpose for which it was collected. We will not add your name or email address to any mailing list unless you request this.
We may publish aggregated information about feedback on the website, to the extent that it does not identify or cannot be used to identify individual users.
Newsletter subscriptions
If you wish to subscribe to a newsletter, we will request your name and email address so that we can email the newsletter to you.
Providing us with the requested information is voluntary. However, if you choose not to provide us with the requested information, we cannot send you the newsletter.
To access, update or correct your personal information, please contact Council.
Accessing and correcting your information
You may request access to, or correction of, your personal information held by Council. Requests may be managed under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) where applicable.
Privacy concerns, complaints and internal review
If you believe Council has breached the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) or the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW), you may raise the issue with Council and request an internal review. Council also has processes for responding to and notifying eligible data breaches in line with the Mandatory Notification of Data Breach (MNDB) scheme.
Privacy information updates
Council reserves the right to modify this privacy information at any time. Changes and clarifications will take effect immediately upon their posting on Council’s website.
Privacy enquiries and complaints
If you have an enquiry or complaint about a privacy issue relating to Kempsey Shire Council’s website, please contact us on 02 6566 3200 or email governance@kempsey.nsw.gov.au. If you are not satisfied with Council’s response, you can also contact the Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC).
More information
NSW privacy laws
Last updated:17 April 2025