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Privacy Policy

Legal disclaimer

This Privacy Policy is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is intended to outline Green ARQ's practices in handling personal information in accordance with applicable Australian laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APP). Green ARQ (ABN 37 966 365 167) is dedicated to protecting your privacy to not only comply with the Australian Privacy Principal but to ensure transparency and with clients.

This Policy may be updated from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated Policy on our website and updating the "Last Updated" date above. Your continued use of our website or services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy. If you do not agree with this Policy, please do not provide us with your personal information.

For specific legal advice tailored to your situation, consult a qualified Australian lawyer. Green ARQ makes no representations or warranties regarding the suitability of this Policy for your needs.

1. About Green ARQ and This Privacy Policy

Green ARQ is a landscape design business based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, specializing in sustainable garden designs, including styles such as English Cottage, Modern Contemporary, Japanese Zen, Mediterranean, Tropical, Australian Native/Wildlife, Formal French, Coastal, Xeriscape/Desert Gardens. We operate under Australian Business Number (ABN) 37 966 365 167 located in Glebe, Sydney Australia.

This Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect personal information when you interact with our website, submit inquiries via our contact form. It applies to all individuals, including potential clients, website visitors. For business contacts email us directly at (design@greenarqstudio.com.au). We are committed to handling your information responsibly and in line with privacy best practices.

2. What personal information We Collect

We only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for our functions and activities.

Through our website and services, we may collect:

  • Basic contact details: Your full name, email address, phone number, and postal address (e.g., from our contact form for garden design inquiries).

  • Garden-related details: Basic questions about your dream garden, such as preferred style (e.g., Tropical or Native/Wildlife), yard size, location in Sydney, budget, and any specific requirements (e.g., low-water or edible plants). This may include photos or sketches you upload.

  • Technical data: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and time/date of access (collected automatically via cookies or analytics tools).

  • Sensitive information: We do not intentionally collect sensitive information (e.g., health data, racial origins, or political opinions) unless you voluntarily provide it in the context of accessibility needs for your garden design (e.g., mobility requirements). If collected, we will seek your explicit consent.

We do not collect information from individuals under 18 years of age without verifiable parental consent.

3. How We Collect Personal Information

We collect personal information fairly and transparently, with your knowledge or consent where required. Methods include:

  • Directly from you: Via our website contact form (name, address, phone, garden preferences), email inquiries, phone calls, or in-person consultations.

  • Automatically: Through cookies, web beacons, or server logs when you visit our site (e.g., for analytics). You can manage cookie preferences via your browser settings.

  • From third parties: Rarely, from public sources or service providers (e.g. email marketing tools, with your consent). We will inform you if we collect from third parties.

At the point of collection (e.g., next to the contact form), we provide a short privacy collection notice linking to this Policy.

4. Why We Collect and Use Personal Information (Purposes)

We use your personal information only for the primary purpose for which it was collected, or a related secondary purpose you would reasonably expect. Under (APP) 6, we will not use it incompatibly without consent. Key purposes:

  • To respond to your garden design inquiries and provide quotes or consultations.

  • To design and deliver landscape services tailored to your Sydney property (e.g., incorporating native plants for local wildlife).

  • To communicate updates, newsletters, or promotions (with opt-out option).

  • To improve our website and services (e.g., analyzing form submissions for popular garden styles).

  • For administrative tasks, such as invoicing or compliance with Australian tax laws.

  • To prevent fraud or comply with legal obligations (e.g., under the Privacy Act 1988).

We do not use your information for automated decision-making that significantly affects you.

5. Direct Marketing

We may use your email or phone for direct marketing about our services (e.g., new permaculture garden designs or Sydney-specific trends), but only if you have consented or it is reasonable to expect (e.g., after an inquiry). Under APP 7, you can opt out at any time:

We will honor opt-outs promptly as soon as practical.

6. Disclosure of Personal Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. Disclosures are limited to:

  • Service providers: Contractors, IT hosts, or analytics tools. These parties are bound by confidentiality agreements.

  • Related entities: None currently, but if we expand, only with notice.

  • Legal requirements: To courts, regulators (e.g., OAIC), or law enforcement if required by Australian law.

  • Business transfers: In a merger or sale, with notice to you.

We do not disclose to overseas recipients, so APP 8 does not apply. All data stays in Australia.

7. Security of Personal Information

We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure (APP 11), including:

  • Encryption for data in transit.

  • Secure servers hosted in Australia with access controls (e.g., password protection).

  • Regular security audits and staff training.

  • Firewalls and antivirus software.

If you submit via our contact form, data is stored securely for up to 2 years or until your inquiry is resolved. We retain records only as long as necessary for our purposes or legal requirements (e.g., 7 years for tax under Australian law). After that, we securely destroy or de-identify it.

8. Data Breaches

If we suspect an "eligible data breach" (likely to cause serious harm), we will:

  • Assess promptly under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.

  • Notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) as required.

  • Provide containment steps.

9. Access and Correction

Under APPs 12 and 13 (voluntarily adopted):

  • You can request access to your personal information or correction if inaccurate.

  • Submit requests to design@greenarqstudio.com.au. We respond within 30 days, free of charge unless excessive.

  • If denied, we provide reasons and OAIC complaint options.

10. Complaints

If you believe we have breached your privacy:

  1. Contact us via email (details above) with details.

  2. We investigate and respond within 30 days.

  3. If unsatisfied, escalate to the OAIC: oaic.gov.au/privacy/complaints or 1300 363 992.

We handle complaints in good faith and without charge.

11. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies for functionality (e.g., form submission) and analytics (e.g., Google Analytics). You can:

  • Accept/refuse non-essential cookies via a banner.

  • Disable via browser settings (may limit site features). Details: Essential cookies (session management); Analytics (anonymized traffic data). No third-party advertising cookies.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy to reflect legal changes or business needs. Check the date above. Major updates will be emailed to subscribers.

Thank you for trusting Green ARQ Studio with your garden dreams. We value your privacy as much as your vision for a lush Sydney oasis!

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