Privacy Policy
Orara Valley Hub respects your privacy and aims to handle personal information carefully, transparently and responsibly.
This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through oraravalleyhub.com.au, why we collect it, how it may be used and the choices available to you.
Orara Valley Hub is operated as a free community service. We do not charge membership fees, listing fees, commissions or transaction fees, and we do not collect payment or credit card information.
In this policy, “Orara Valley Hub”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to the operators and authorised administrators of the Orara Valley Hub website.
1. Information We May Collect
The information we collect depends on how you use the website.
Account information
When you create an account, we may collect:
your name or username;
your email address;
your account login details;
your profile information;
your account activity; and
information needed to verify or secure your account.
Listings and community submissions
When you create or manage a business listing, event, community notice, group listing or other submission, we may collect:
your name and contact details;
your business or organisation name;
addresses and service locations;
telephone numbers and email addresses;
website and social media links;
photographs, logos and written descriptions;
event dates, times and locations; and
other information you choose to include.
Some of this information is intended to be published publicly.
Newsletter subscriptions
When you subscribe for community updates, we collect your email address and information about your subscription preferences.
We may also record whether an email was delivered, opened or unsubscribed from, depending on the email service used.
Contact forms and enquiries
When you contact us, report a listing or submit a question, we may collect:
your name;
your email address;
your telephone number, if provided;
the contents of your message; and
any documents, images or other information you provide.
Technical and website usage information
When you visit the website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:
your IP address;
browser and device type;
operating system;
referring website;
pages visited;
approximate location based on your IP address;
dates and times of visits;
login and security activity;
cookie preferences; and
website errors and performance information.
This information is generally used to operate, secure and improve the website.
Location information
Some directory features may allow you to search for listings near your location.
Your browser or device may ask for permission to share your location. You can refuse this request or disable location access through your browser or device settings.
We do not continuously track your physical location.
2. Information We Do Not Intentionally Collect
We do not collect payment card or banking details because Orara Valley Hub is free to use.
We do not intentionally request sensitive personal information such as health information, political opinions, religious beliefs or government identification numbers.
Please do not include sensitive or private information in public listings, event descriptions, comments or community posts.
3. How We Collect Information
We collect information:
directly from you when you register, subscribe, contact us or submit content;
when you manage or update your account or listings;
automatically through cookies, server logs and security tools;
from publicly available sources where we add useful community information;
from event organisers, businesses, community groups or other contributors; and
from third-party services used to operate the website.
4. How We Use Your Information
We may use personal information to:
create and manage user accounts;
verify email addresses and prevent spam or fraudulent registrations;
publish and manage directory listings, events and community information;
respond to questions, reports and support requests;
send community updates that you have requested;
communicate about your account or submitted content;
maintain the safety and security of the website;
investigate misuse, suspicious activity or breaches of our Terms and Conditions;
correct errors and improve website performance;
understand how visitors use the website;
meet legal or administrative obligations; and
protect the rights, safety and property of the website, its users and the community.
We do not sell or rent personal information.
We do not use personal information to arrange paid advertising on behalf of third parties.
5. Public Listings and Submitted Content
Information included in a public listing, event, community notice or other published submission may be visible to:
website visitors;
search engines;
social media users, where a listing is shared;
other members; and
third-party websites that link to the Hub.
This may include names, business contact details, addresses, photographs and other information you choose to publish.
Before submitting information, please make sure you are comfortable with it being publicly available.
You should not publish another person’s private contact details, photographs or personal information without their permission.
6. Cookies and Similar Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
operate essential website functions;
keep users logged in;
remember preferences;
protect forms and accounts from spam or abuse;
record cookie consent choices;
understand general website usage;
display maps or embedded content; and
improve the website.
Our use of cookies is explained in more detail in our Cookie Policy.
You can manage non-essential cookies through the consent controls displayed on the website.
7. Who We May Share Information With
We may share limited information with trusted service providers that help us operate the website, including:
website hosting and backup providers;
email delivery and newsletter providers;
website security and spam-prevention services;
analytics providers;
mapping and location services;
technical support providers; and
services used to display videos, social media posts or other embedded content.
These providers may only receive the information reasonably needed to supply their services.
We may also disclose information:
where you have asked or authorised us to do so;
where required by law, a court order or lawful government request;
to investigate fraud, abuse, security incidents or unlawful activity;
to protect someone from a serious threat to health or safety; or
to establish, exercise or defend a legal claim.
We do not provide member contact lists to businesses for unsolicited marketing.
8. Third-Party Websites and Services
Orara Valley Hub contains links to external businesses, organisations, social media pages, event websites and other services.
We do not control how those third parties collect or use information. Their own privacy policies apply when you visit or interact with their websites.
Embedded maps, videos or social media content may also allow the relevant service provider to collect technical information, particularly if you are logged into an account with that provider.
9. Overseas Processing
Some website, email, analytics, mapping or security providers may process or store information outside Australia.
The location of this processing depends on the providers and services in use and may include the United States, the European Union and other countries where those providers operate.
Where reasonably possible, we use reputable service providers and limit the information shared to what is needed to operate the website.
10. Storage and Security
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from loss, misuse, interference, unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure.
These measures may include:
secured website hosting;
encrypted connections;
restricted administrator access;
password protection;
software and security updates;
website backups;
spam and login protection; and
monitoring for suspicious activity.
No website or online storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. You are responsible for keeping your account password and login details confidential.
Please contact us promptly if you believe your account or personal information has been accessed without permission.
11. How Long We Keep Information
We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.
For example:
account information may be retained while your account remains active;
public listing information may be retained while the listing remains published;
enquiry and complaint records may be retained while they are being handled;
security logs may be retained for a reasonable period to detect abuse;
newsletter information may be retained until you unsubscribe; and
limited information may remain in secure backups after it is removed from the live website.
We may retain information for longer where required for legal, security, fraud-prevention or record-keeping purposes.
12. Accessing or Correcting Your Information
You may request access to personal information we hold about you or ask us to correct information that is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.
Account holders may be able to update some information directly through their account.
You may also contact us through the website contact form.
We may need to confirm your identity before providing access to or changing personal information.
13. Deleting Your Account or Information
You may ask us to close your account or remove personal information that is no longer required.
We will take reasonable steps to comply, subject to:
information that must be retained by law;
records needed to investigate misuse or resolve a dispute;
technical backup cycles;
information that has been lawfully published or shared by others; and
information we need to protect the website or its users.
Removing an account does not automatically remove information that you separately submitted for public publication. Please identify any listings or content you also want removed.
14. Newsletter Communications
We only send general community newsletters or updates to people who have subscribed or otherwise requested them.
You can unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link in an email.
We may still send essential account, security or administrative messages where needed to operate your account.
15. Children and Young People
Orara Valley Hub is a general community website and is not specifically directed at children.
People under 18 should have the permission and supervision of a parent or guardian before creating an account, publishing personal information or contacting another user.
Parents and guardians may contact us if they believe a child has submitted personal information without appropriate permission.
16. Privacy Questions and Complaints
Please contact us if you:
have a question about this policy;
want to access or correct your information;
want your account or information removed;
believe your information has been misused; or
want to make a privacy complaint.
You can contact us through the contact form on the Orara Valley Hub website.
Please provide enough information for us to understand and investigate your request. We will respond within a reasonable period.
If you are not satisfied with our response and Australian privacy law applies to the matter, you may be able to contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
17. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when the website, its services or our information-handling practices change.
The updated policy will be published on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.
We encourage you to review this policy occasionally.
18. Contact
Questions and privacy requests may be submitted through the contact form at:
oraravalleyhub.com.au