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Valleys to the coast by rail trail

How disused railway corridors became some of Australia’s best car-free riding.

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Privacy Policy

How we collect, use and protect your personal information when you read BrightValley Link or join our dispatch.

Last updated: 1 June 2026

This is an educational publication

BrightValley Link publishes general educational and editorial content about cycling and active mobility in Australia. We are not a store, a booking service, a navigation app or a transport operator, and we do not provide official or navigation advice. This policy explains how we handle the limited personal information we collect from readers.

1. Introduction & scope

This Privacy Policy explains how BrightValley Link (“we”, “us”, “our”) handles personal information in connection with the website at brightvalleylink.com and any related communications such as our email dispatch. We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

“Personal information” means information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. By using our website or providing your details to us, you agree to the handling of your personal information as described here.

2. Information we collect

We aim to collect only what we need to run an editorial website and keep in touch with readers who ask us to. This may include:

Newsletter email address

If you subscribe to the BrightValley dispatch, we collect the email address you provide so we can send you our fortnightly updates.

Contact-form details

If you contact us, we collect the details you choose to give us — such as your name, email address and the content of your message — so we can respond.

Analytics information

When you visit, our analytics tools may automatically collect technical information such as your approximate location (derived from your IP address), device and browser type, pages viewed and the time spent on them. This is used in aggregate to understand which guides are useful.

Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and local storage to remember your preferences and measure site usage. You can manage these at any time — see our Cookie Policy for the full detail and controls.

3. How we use your information

We use the personal information we collect to:

  • send the dispatch you have subscribed to, and let you unsubscribe;
  • respond to enquiries and feedback you send us;
  • understand how our content is read so we can improve it;
  • maintain the security and proper functioning of the website; and
  • comply with our legal obligations.

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use it to make automated decisions that have a significant effect on you.

4. Third parties

We rely on a small number of reputable service providers to operate the site. These may include an email delivery provider (to send the dispatch) and an analytics provider (to measure usage). These providers only handle personal information on our behalf and under their own terms and privacy commitments.

We may also disclose personal information where we are required or authorised to do so by law. We do not otherwise share your information with third parties for their own marketing.

5. Data security

We take reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. This includes serving the site over encrypted connections and limiting access to the data we collect. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, however, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Retention

We keep personal information only for as long as we reasonably need it for the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law. If you unsubscribe from the dispatch or ask us to delete your details, we will remove them from our active records within a reasonable period, except where we are required to retain certain information.

7. Your rights under the Australian Privacy Principles

Under the APPs, you have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, and to ask us to correct it if it is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading.

Access & correction

To request access or a correction, email us at hello@brightvalleylink.com. We will respond within a reasonable time. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request, and in limited cases permitted by law we may decline access — if so, we will explain why.

8. Children's privacy

Our content is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will take reasonable steps to delete it.

9. Overseas disclosure

Some of our service providers may store or process data on servers located outside Australia. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure your personal information is handled consistently with the APPs. By using our website you acknowledge that your information may be processed in this way.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or the law. The “last updated” date at the top of this page shows when it was last revised. Continued use of the website after an update means you accept the revised policy.

12. Contact & complaints

If you have a question, a request, or a complaint about how we handle your personal information, please contact us at hello@brightvalleylink.com. We will acknowledge your complaint and aim to resolve it promptly and fairly.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au, which oversees compliance with the Privacy Act.