Privacy

Protecting your privacy is a priority for the City of Wanneroo. Learn about our commitment to privacy.

The City considers that the responsible handling of personal information is a key aspect of democratic governance and is committed to protecting an individual’s right to privacy. This policy applies to all personal information held by the City.

The City collects, stores and uses a broad range of information about customers, ratepayers, residents, volunteers, employees and prospective employees. A significant part of that information is personal information. All reasonable steps are taken to ensure that the collection, use, disclosure and handling of all personal information held by the City aligns with the City’s Personal Information Privacy Policy.

Definitions

Personal information means information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable:

  1. Whether the information or opinion is true or not; 
  2. Whether the information or opinion is recorded in a material form or not; and
  3. Whether the individual is living or dead.

This includes information the City has collected in any format, including from correspondence, in person, over the phone, over the internet, or sourced from third parties.

Personal information includes but is not limited to names, address, telephone numbers, email addresses, date of birth and rates records.

Sensitive information means personal information that includes information or an opinion about an individual’s: 

  1. racial or ethnic origin 
  2. political opinions or associations 
  3. religious or philosophical beliefs 
  4. trade union membership or associations 
  5. sexual orientation or practices 
  6. criminal record 
  7. health or genetic information 
  8. biometric information; or 
  9. other types of Personal Information as set out in the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024.

Collection of personal information

  • The City will only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, its obligations or performing one or more of the City’s functions or activities.
  • The City will only collect personal information by lawful and fair means.
  • The City will not collect Sensitive Information about an individual without their consent unless permitted by law.
  • The City usually collects personal information directly from the individual concerned.
  • The City will collect personal information from other parties if consent is given in writing by the authorised individual or required by law.
  • The City will notify the individual of the collection of Personal Information at, before or as soon as practicable after the collection of the information.

Storage of personal information

  • The City may store personal information in a range of mediums including electronic systems or paper files.
  • All information is stored securely and restricted to access by authorised personnel only.
  • Where personal information is stored by a contracted third party, the City requires them to comply with this Policy.

Use or disclosure of personal information

  • The City will only use or disclose personal information for the primary purposes for which it was collected or for directly related secondary purposes which would be reasonably expected by the individual, or as permitted or required by law. If there is any doubt about this expectation then consent will be sought from the individual prior to disclosure of personal information for a secondary purpose.
  • Where personal information is used by a contracted third party, the City requires them to comply with this Policy.

Quality of personal information

  • The City will take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information is relevant, accurate and up-to-date before using it.
  • The City will take steps, as reasonable in the circumstances to ensure that personal information it collects is relevant and not excessive.
  • The City will update personal information held when necessary or when the individual concerned advises the City that their personal information has changed.

Security of personal information

  • The City will take steps to protect personal information held by the City from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
  • The City has data protection and security measures including administrative, physical and technical access restrictions to personal information to ensure access by only authorised personnel.
  • The City will ensure that personal information is not kept any longer than necessary or destroyed or de-identified in line with accepted document disposal schedules.