Collection of personal information
At all times TCCS will try to only collect information which is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, the official function or activity being carried out.
TCCS will only collect your personal information by lawful and fair means, and the main way we collect your personal information is when you give it to us. For example, when you:
- apply for an ACT Government concession scheme, or funding or assistance facilitated by us (e.g. free travel on Transport Canberra services).
- participate in community consultations, forums, surveys, meetings or research led be us.
- submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
- are employed by, seeking employment or volunteer with, or are contracted to provide services to us.
- subscribed to a TCCS email distribution list to receive information from us.
- submit a customer form, through Access Canberra form, for one of our services (e.g. register your dog, apply to build a new driveway, or report a damaged tree).
- are a member of one of our boards or committees.
Remaining anonymous
Where possible, you will have the option of remaining anonymous or using a pseudonym (a made-up name) when dealing with TCCS. However, you will need to identify yourself in situations where:
- TCCS is authorised or required by law to deal with an identified individual; or
- it is not practicable to deal with you if you have not identified yourself (e.g. we require your name and basic contact information to follow-up with you on an enquiry).
If you need to identify yourself, TCCS will explain why this information is needed and what it would mean for you if the information were not collected.
Collecting sensitive information
TCCS will not collect your sensitive information unless it is reasonably necessary and directly related to the official function being carried out, and you consent to the collection of that information.
TCCS may collect sensitive information without your consent if:
- required or authorised by an Australian law, or a court or tribunal order to do so; or
- it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to the life, health or safety of one or more persons, or to public health or safety.
Collecting personal information from children and young persons
TCCS will generally require the consent of a parent of legal guardian when collecting the personal or sensitive information of a child or young person under the age of 18.
TCCS may accept the consent of a child or young person under the age 18 to collect their personal information on a case-by-case basis, if we are satisfied with their capacity to consent to the handling or their personal information (e.g. a college student applying for a Student MyWay card).
Indirect collection
TCCS will generally seek to collect your personal information directly from you, unless you consent to us collecting your information from another party, or it is unreasonable or impracticable to do so.
TCCS may obtain personal information collected by another ACT Government directorate or agency, through the ACT Government Data Sharing Memorandum of Understanding, where it is lawful to do so. TCCS may also obtain personal information collected by other Australian federal, state and territory government bodies or organisations in certain circumstances. TCCS may also receive unsolicited personal information (i.e. we did not ask for it) from a third party. If we receive unsolicited information, we must determine if we could have collected it by lawful and fair means. If we decide we could not have, we will destroy the information.
TCCS may also collect personal information from publicly available sources, such as public websites of social networking services (e.g. business websites), to enable us to perform our functions effectively.
Notice of collection
When TCCS needs to collect personal information about you, TCCS will take all reasonable steps to notify you about:
- who we are and how you can contact us.
- the purpose(s) for which we are collecting the personal information.
- the circumstances in which we may have collected it if not collected directly from you, or if you may be unaware that we have collected your personal information.
- any laws requiring us to collect this personal information, or if its collection is authorised or required by a court or tribunal order.
- how you may be affected if we are unable to collect all or some of the requested personal information.
- the details of any agencies, or types of agencies, which we normally disclose the type of personal information to, or if we are likely to disclose it to an overseas recipient.
- our Information Privacy Policy, including information on how you can access or correct your personal information, and how complaints regarding the handling of your personal information can be made and will be managed.
Websites
Information on how TCCS collects information through its websites is available under Website Information Privacy statements through either the Transport Canberra or City Services websites.
Email lists
TCCS uses subscriber email lists to distribute current information such as newsletters and details of upcoming events open to community members and stakeholders.
These services are voluntary and require your consent to subscribe. If you subscribe, your contact details will be collected for the purpose of that subscription list and will not be collected outside of TCCS without your consent. You will also be provided information on how to unsubscribe at the time of subscription.
Social networking services
TCCS accounts on social networking services, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. If you communicate with us through these, your personal information may be collected by the social network service and will be handled in accordance with their own privacy policies.
TCCS has limited to no control over the way your personal information may be used or disclosed by these services. Therefore, TCCS generally avoids collecting personal information via social media services and will restrict doing so to where necessary.
Closed Circuit Television
TCCS uses Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems to monitor and record activity throughout publicly accessible locations managed by the Directorate, including bus interchanges and onboard buses. CCTV systems are linked to the ACT Public Safety CCTV Network managed by the Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JACS).
The purpose of this monitoring is to provide a safe and secure environment for TCCS staff, visitors and passengers. CCTV is also used to deter criminal and anti-social activity, as an investigate tool (such as for crimes or incidents), for asset protections, and as an emergency response management tool.
CCTV recorders are located within a secure areas in each of the premises. In accordance with the ACT Government CCTV Policy (PDF 390.3 KB), signage is clearly displayed at all entry points and in prominent positions where CCTV cameras are located. Signage is also displayed in staff areas where CCTV coverage occurs.
CCTV recordings may include identifiable images of persons accessing TCCS locations and using buses. Personal information contained on corresponding files for recordings may include names, addresses, occupations, and the outcome of any investigations or reviews conducted. These records may also include details of witnesses to matters on CCTV recordings.
Access to CCTV records is restricted to limited number of authorised staff on a ‘need to know’ basis. Footage is only reviewed or copied upon request and with the appropriate authorisation.
TCCS may disclose personal information, collected through CCTV, to an investigative body, including ACT Police and WorkSafe ACT, following completion of a formal CCTV request process. Information may also be used to produce statistics, and in these instances, it is not disclosed in a manner whereby individuals could be identified, except where a specific need is established.
TCCS also uses Live Traffic Monitoring (LTM) cameras positioned at identified intersection to assist in the efficient operation of the Territory’s road network. LTM cameras do not record images, however live footage may contain identifiable images of persons and vehicle details (including registration and vehicle type).
LTM cameras are managed by the Traffic Management and Safety section within the Roads ACT branch. Live footage may be disclosed to a third party for use for public safety and security purposes.
Body Worn Cameras
TCCS is undertaking a trial of Body Worn Cameras (BWC) to support following operational areas within the directorate, specifically:
- Domestic Animal Services (DAS);
- Licensing and Compliance (City Rangers and Compliance Target Team); and
- Transport Canberra Field Transport Officers.
BWC will allow employees to gather information and evidence as it occurs and to provide the ability to present visual and audio evidence during legal proceedings. BWC may only be used:
- Where employees have a reasonable concern for their safety or the safety of another person;
- To record an incident when exercising their power under legislation and recording will help obtain evidence in relation to that incident;
- To support the investigation of a statutory offence by gathering and presenting visual and audio evidence of an incident or crime, or as part of a brief of evidence presented during legal proceedings.
The use of BWC including the recording, storing and release of recordings will be managed in accordance with the TCCS Body Worn Camera Policy (“The BWC Policy”). The policy clearly outlines TCCS’s obligations to the collection of the information is in accordance with the Territory Privacy Principles.
