Privacy Policy

INTERIM NOTICE — This Privacy Policy is a working draft prepared for legal review. It should be read with the Shanti Plants Terms and Conditions and any collection notice shown when information is requested.

Last updated: 28 July 2026

1. ABOUT THIS POLICY
Shanti Plants (“we”, “us” or “our”) operates shantiplants.com, the Earth Resource Map, an online shop, learning resources, membership and community features, forms, newsletters and related services. This policy explains how we collect, hold, use and disclose personal information.

This policy is designed with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles and the Spam Act 2003 (Cth) in mind where they apply. Whether particular laws apply can depend on our activities and circumstances. This draft does not replace legal advice.

2. PERSONAL INFORMATION WE MAY COLLECT
Depending on how you use our services, we may collect:
• your name, email address, phone number and contact preferences;
• account, membership and login information;
• billing, delivery and order details;
• transaction records, while payment card details are generally handled by our payment providers;
• enquiries, feedback, form responses, reviews and support records;
• newsletter, event, volunteer or community participation details;
• plant, wildlife, environmental or community contributions you choose to submit;
• records needed to manage permissions, evidence, review status and publication decisions; and
• technical information such as IP address, browser, device, cookie identifiers, pages viewed and site interactions.

We do not ask for sensitive information unless it is reasonably necessary, permitted by law and, where required, collected with consent.

3. HOW WE COLLECT INFORMATION
We usually collect information directly from you when you create an account, place an order, complete a form, subscribe, contact us, attend or register for an activity, or contribute information. We may also receive information automatically through Wix, cookies and analytics tools, from service providers acting for us, or from public sources where lawful and appropriate.

You may browse general public information without identifying yourself. Some services cannot be supplied unless we receive the information needed to provide them.

4. WHY WE USE PERSONAL INFORMATION
We may use personal information to:
• provide, manage and improve our website, shop, resources and services;
• create and administer accounts, memberships and community participation;
• process payments, orders, delivery, returns and customer support;
• respond to enquiries, corrections, complaints and safety concerns;
• review, verify, attribute and, where agreed, publish contributions;
• send service messages and consented marketing communications;
• understand site performance and improve accessibility and user experience;
• prevent misuse, fraud, security incidents or unlawful activity; and
• meet record-keeping, insurance, legal and regulatory requirements.

5. CONTRIBUTORS, KNOWLEDGE AND SENSITIVE LOCATIONS
Contributor and member details are private by default. We do not publish private contact details merely because someone contributes knowledge. We publish a person’s name, story, image or attribution only where there is an appropriate permission or other lawful basis.

Exact locations of threatened species, culturally sensitive places, private property or other sensitive environmental records may be generalised, restricted or withheld. Membership level does not override privacy, cultural, safety or conservation controls.

6. COOKIES, ANALYTICS AND WIX
Our website is hosted on Wix. Wix and connected services may use essential cookies and, depending on your choices and our configuration, analytics, preference or marketing technologies. These tools may collect device and usage information to operate the site, remember choices, measure performance and understand how visitors use our services.

You can use available cookie controls or browser settings to manage non-essential cookies. Blocking some cookies may affect site functions.

7. DISCLOSURE TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS
We may disclose personal information where reasonably necessary to:
• Wix and providers of website hosting, cloud storage, security, analytics, email and customer-management services;
• payment processors, banks, fraud-prevention services, couriers and delivery providers;
• contractors or project partners who need the information to perform authorised work;
• accountants, insurers, auditors, legal advisers and other professional advisers;
• regulators, courts, law-enforcement bodies or other parties where required or authorised by law; or
• another party with your consent.

We do not sell personal information.

8. OVERSEAS PROCESSING
Some technology and service providers may store or process information outside Australia. Their locations may change and may not always be practicable for us to identify. Where Australian privacy law applies, we take reasonable steps required by law before disclosing personal information overseas. You may contact us for current information about relevant providers and locations.

9. SECURITY AND RETENTION
We use reasonable administrative, technical and access controls suited to the information we hold. No online system is completely secure. We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably needed for the purpose collected, our records, dispute resolution and legal obligations. We then take reasonable steps to delete, destroy or de-identify it. We respond to eligible data breaches as required by law.

10. ACCESS, CORRECTION AND DELETION
You may ask to access personal information we hold about you or request correction of information that is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading. You may also ask us to delete information where deletion is lawful and reasonably possible. We may need to verify your identity. If we cannot meet a request, we will explain why where required by law.

11. MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
We send commercial electronic messages only where we have consent or another lawful basis. Our messages identify Shanti Plants and include a way to unsubscribe. We action valid unsubscribe requests within the period required by the Spam Act. Unsubscribing from marketing does not stop essential order, account, safety or service messages.

12. CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Our public educational information may be used by people of different ages. A parent or guardian should assist a person under 18 when personal information, an account, a purchase or participation is involved. Please contact us if you believe a child has provided personal information without appropriate permission.

13. COMPLAINTS
Please contact us if you have a privacy question or complaint. Explain what happened and the outcome you seek. We will acknowledge and investigate the matter within a reasonable time. If you are not satisfied and the Privacy Act applies, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at oaic.gov.au.

14. THIRD-PARTY LINKS AND POLICY CHANGES
Our website may link to third-party sites that have their own privacy practices. We are not responsible for those practices. We may update this policy when our services, providers or legal obligations change. The current version and update date will appear on this page.

15. CONTACT SHANTI PLANTS
Email: shantiplants@outlook.com
Phone: 0412 859 139
Legal and postal address: 173 Herrmanns Road, Prenzlau QLD 4311, Australia