Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is a Business Unit of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE). This page is the central location for all personal information protection enquiries and information. Please find below the Tasmanian Government personal information protection statement and DPIPWE’s personal information protection policy.

Personal Information Protection Policy

Information Collected

The functions of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) involve using our collective advantages and expertise to manage and promote our world class natural and cultural assets and activities to enhance Tasmania’s economic, social and cultural environment.

DPIPWE will only collect personal information by fair and lawful means which is necessary for or conducive to the functions of DPIPWE.

Under the Personal Information Protection Act 2004, DPIPWE is the custodian of personal information and the collection, use and disclosure of that information is governed by the Act. In some circumstances specific legislation may apply to the collection and/use of certain information. In these particular circumstances, individuals will be advised of the specific legislation requiring the collection and use of personal information.

The type of personal information collected includes names, addresses and telephone numbers, together with any specific information about a person that may be required for the purpose of discharging DPIPWE functions.

DPIPWE will take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information held is accurate, complete and up to date. Where practicable, DPIPWE will check on the accuracy of your personal information before it is used.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive Information includes things like health information, criminal record, racial origin and sexual preferences. Generally, DPIPWE will only collect sensitive information if it is necessary and with your consent, or if the collection of that information is required by law.

Anonymity

If you are making a general enquiry, it may not be necessary to identify yourself. However, if you want to obtain a service, identification may be necessary.

Unique Identifiers

We do not assign unique identifiers to people unless it is necessary for us to carry out our functions efficiently or is required by law. We do not adopt as our unique identifiers the unique identifiers from other organisations. However, we may collect the unique identifiers assigned to you by another organisation, but we will not disclose these without lawful authority.

Access to and Correction of Information Collected

The Personal Information Protection Act 2004 provides that you can access your personal information that is held by the DPIPWE.

If you consider the personal information to be incorrect, incomplete, out of date or misleading, you can request that the information be amended.

Requests to access or correct your personal information held by DPIPWE will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1991, as required by Schedule 1 clause 6 of the Personal Information Protection Act 2004.

For further information see www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au, or contact:

PIP Contact Officer
Address: 22 Elizabeth St, Hobart TAS 7001
Email: PIP@depha.tas.gov.au
Phone Number: (03) 6233 6196
Depending upon the nature of the request a fee may be charged for this service.

If you are not satisfied with the handling or outcome of your request for access to or correction of your personal information, you can lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s Office can be contacted on 03 6233 6217, or 1800 001 170 (cost of local call outside Hobart area), and by email at ombudsman@justice.tas.gov.au.

Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

DPIPWE staff are only provided with or have access to the information that is necessary for them to carry out their functions. All staff are bound by confidentiality requirements.

Personal information will be used only for the purpose which is identified to you. Otherwise, your personal information will only be disclosed with your consent, or if it is required by or authorised by law.

For example, there may be a need to disclose some or all information collected to contractors and agents of the DPIPWE, law enforcement agencies, courts, or other public sector bodies or other authorised organisations under relevant legislations.

The Personal Information Protection Act permits the disclosure of “basic personal information” (that is, name, address, date of birth and gender) to other public sector bodies where necessary for the efficient storage and use of information.

Some personal information collected may be used in research, statistical analysis, state or national reporting, awareness programs, public statements or training, but not in a way which would identify the person to whom it relates.

Personal information in written submissions on policy matters or matters of public consultation may be disclosed in reports that are made public, unless the submission was submitted and/or accepted on a confidential basis.

Security of Personal Information

DPIPWE use a number of procedural, physical, and technical safeguards, including access controls, secure methods of communication and back-up and recovery systems to protect information from misuse and loss, unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.

Generally, there is an intention that information is destroyed or permanently de-identified when it is no longer required, but this can only be done in accordance with processes approved by the State Archivist under the Archives Act 1983.