Welcome to Orara Valley Hub.

These Terms and Conditions apply to your use of the Orara Valley Hub website at oraravalleyhub.com.au, including its directories, event listings, community information, member accounts and other services.

By accessing or using this website, creating an account or submitting content, you agree to these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree with them, please do not use the website.

In these Terms, “Orara Valley Hub”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to the operators of the Orara Valley Hub website. “You” and “your” refer to anyone who accesses or uses the website.

1. About Orara Valley Hub

Orara Valley Hub is a community website designed to help people find and share information about the Orara Valley, including:

• local businesses, trades and services;

• community organisations, groups, clubs and facilities;

• events, classes and activities;

• community news and publications;

• emergency and community information;

• goods, services and other member-submitted listings; and

• links to external organisations and websites.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, Orara Valley Hub is an information and connection service. We are not the owner, operator, organiser, supplier, employer, agent or representative of the businesses, groups, events, services or products listed on the website.

Free Community Service

Orara Valley Hub is provided as a free community service.

We do not charge membership fees, listing fees, advertising fees, commissions or transaction fees for using the website or submitting eligible community content.

Businesses, community groups, event organisers and residents may create accounts and submit listings in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.

Although use of Orara Valley Hub is free, third parties listed on the website may independently charge for their own goods, services, activities or events. Any such charges are arranged directly between the user and the relevant third party. Orara Valley Hub does not receive or process these payments.

2. Using the Website

You agree to use the website lawfully, responsibly and in a way that does not interfere with its operation or with another person’s use of it.

You must not:

• use the website for unlawful, fraudulent or misleading purposes;

• attempt to gain unauthorised access to the website, another account or our systems;

• introduce viruses, malicious code or other harmful material;

• scrape, copy or collect website content or user information using automated tools without permission;

• send spam or unsolicited promotional messages;

• impersonate another person, business or organisation;

• interfere with the security or operation of the website; or

• use information obtained through the website to harass, threaten or harm another person.

We may restrict or block access to the website where we reasonably believe these Terms have been breached.

3. Accounts

Some parts of the website may require you to create an account.

You agree to:

• provide accurate and current information;

• use an email address that belongs to you or that you are authorised to use;

• keep your login details secure;

• notify us if you believe your account has been accessed without permission; and

• accept responsibility for activity carried out through your account.

You must not create accounts using false identities, automated systems or temporary details intended to avoid our registration or verification processes.

We may require you to verify your email address before activating your account or publishing your content.

You must be at least 18 years old to use the website to advertise, sell or arrange the supply of goods or services. A person under 18 may only use these features with the involvement and permission of a parent or legal guardian.

4. Listings and Submitted Content

You may be able to submit business listings, group information, events, notices, photographs, advertisements, goods for sale, comments or other material.

You remain responsible for everything you submit.

By submitting content, you confirm that:

• the information is accurate and not misleading;

• you are authorised to submit it;

• you own the content or have permission to use it;

• it does not infringe anyone else’s copyright, trademark, privacy or other rights;

• any prices, dates, availability, qualifications or claims are accurate;

• any photographs of identifiable people have been used with appropriate permission; and

• the content complies with all applicable laws and regulations.

You must promptly update or remove information that is no longer accurate, available or relevant.

5. Licence to Display Submitted Content

You continue to own the content you submit.

By submitting content to Orara Valley Hub, you give us a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to store, reproduce, resize, format, display and promote that content for the purpose of operating and promoting the website and its community services.

This may include displaying your listing or event on the website, in search results, newsletters or Orara Valley Hub social media posts.

You may ask us to remove your content, although copies may remain in backups or records where reasonably necessary for legal, administrative or security purposes.

6. Content Standards

Content submitted to the website must not:

• be false, deceptive or misleading;

• be defamatory, threatening, abusive, discriminatory or harassing;

• invade another person’s privacy;

• contain obscene, sexually explicit or seriously offensive material;

• promote violence, criminal activity or unsafe behaviour;

• contain spam, scams or fraudulent offers;

• advertise illegal, stolen, counterfeit, recalled or unsafe goods;

• advertise regulated goods or services without the licences, approvals or authority required by law;

• infringe copyright, trademarks or other intellectual property rights;

• contain malicious links, software or code; or

• be unrelated to the Orara Valley community or the purpose of the relevant section.

We may edit, decline, suspend or remove content at our discretion, particularly where it may be inaccurate, inappropriate, unsafe, unlawful, outdated or inconsistent with the community purpose of the website.

We are not required to publish every submission and are not obliged to provide a reason for refusing or removing content.

7. Business and Service Listings

A listing on Orara Valley Hub is not an endorsement, recommendation, accreditation or guarantee by us.

We do not independently verify every business, provider or claim appearing in a listing. Users should make their own enquiries before engaging a business or service provider, including checking:

• qualifications and licences;

• insurance;

• experience and references;

• availability;

• prices and payment terms; and

• whether the provider is suitable for the work required.

Businesses and service providers are responsible for complying with all laws that apply to their activities, advertising, pricing, licences and services.

8. Events, Activities and Community Groups

Event and activity information may be submitted by organisers or obtained from publicly available community information.

Dates, times, venues, costs and other details may change without notice. You should confirm important information directly with the organiser before travelling, booking, attending or making a payment.

Participation in an event, group, class or activity is at your own discretion and risk. Orara Valley Hub is not responsible for the management, safety, accessibility, cancellation or conduct of an independently organised event or activity.

Event organisers are responsible for obtaining any permits, approvals, insurance and permissions required for their events.

9. Marketplace and Transactions Between Users

Where the website allows members to advertise goods or services, Orara Valley Hub provides a place for people to connect.

Unless expressly stated otherwise:

• we are not the buyer or seller;

• we do not own, inspect, store, deliver or guarantee advertised items;

• we do not process or hold payments between users;

• we are not a party to any agreement between users; and

• transactions and communications occur directly between the parties.

Buyers and sellers are responsible for checking identities, descriptions, ownership, condition, safety, pricing, payment arrangements and delivery or collection details.

Use reasonable care when meeting someone or completing a transaction. Avoid sending money or personal information where you are not satisfied that the other party is genuine.

Any dispute relating to a transaction must initially be resolved directly between the buyer, seller or service provider involved. We may choose to assist with communication or investigate a report, but we are not required to resolve private disputes.

10. Emergency and Safety Information

Emergency information on the website is provided as a convenient community reference only.

It may become outdated, incomplete or unavailable, particularly during an emergency, natural disaster, telecommunications outage or rapidly changing situation.

For immediate assistance from Police, Fire or Ambulance, call 000.

Do not delay seeking emergency assistance or rely solely on information published on this website. Always follow directions and warnings issued by emergency services, government agencies and other official authorities.

Orara Valley Hub is not an emergency service and does not monitor the website continuously.

11. Community News and Publications

Community news, notices and publications may include material supplied by third parties.

Views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Orara Valley Hub.

We may correct, edit, decline or remove submitted material, but we do not guarantee that all material has been independently verified.

12. External Websites and Services

The website may contain links to external websites, social media pages, booking platforms, payment providers or other third-party services.

These links are provided for convenience. We do not control external services and are not responsible for their:

• content or accuracy;

• availability or security;

• privacy practices;

• goods or services; or

• terms and conditions.

Accessing an external website or service is at your own discretion and subject to that provider’s terms and policies.

13. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, the website’s design, branding, text, graphics, logos and original content are owned by or licensed to Orara Valley Hub and are protected by intellectual property laws.

You may view, share and print website content for personal, community or non-commercial use, provided that you do not remove attribution or claim the content as your own.

You must obtain permission before reproducing, republishing, selling, modifying or commercially exploiting substantial parts of the website.

Third-party logos, photographs, publications and other materials remain the property of their respective owners.

14. Privacy

Our collection and handling of personal information is explained in our Privacy Policy.

By using the website, creating an account or submitting information, you acknowledge that your information will be handled in accordance with that policy.

Information placed in a public listing may be visible to anyone and may appear in search engine results. Do not publish private information that you do not want made publicly available.

15. Email Communications

You may choose to receive newsletters, community updates, account notifications or other emails from us.

You can unsubscribe from promotional emails using the unsubscribe link provided. We may still send essential account, security or administrative messages where necessary.

16. Website Availability

We try to keep the website available and functioning correctly, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access.

The website may be unavailable because of maintenance, technical problems, security issues, internet outages or circumstances outside our control.

We may change, suspend or discontinue any part of the website without notice.

17. Accuracy of Information

We make reasonable efforts to provide useful and accurate community information. However, information may be supplied by third parties, become outdated or contain errors.

You should independently verify information before relying on it, particularly where it relates to:

• emergencies or personal safety;

• health, legal or financial matters;

• opening hours and availability;

• licences or professional qualifications;

• event dates and locations;

• prices and payment arrangements; or

• travel or access conditions.

Nothing on the website is intended to replace professional advice.

18. Australian Consumer Law

Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law or other applicable legislation.

Where our liability can lawfully be limited, it will be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

19. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Orara Valley Hub and its volunteers, representatives and website administrators are not liable for loss, damage, injury, cost or expense arising from:

• information supplied by a third party;

• reliance on an inaccurate or outdated listing;

• dealings between website users;

• attendance at an event or activity;

• goods or services advertised through the website;

• external websites or services;

• unauthorised access to an account;

• website interruptions or technical problems; or

• content submitted or communicated by another user.

This limitation does not apply to liability that cannot legally be excluded.

20. Indemnity

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify Orara Valley Hub against claims, losses, liabilities and reasonable expenses resulting from:

• content you submit;

• your breach of these Terms;

• your infringement of another person’s rights; or

• your unlawful or improper use of the website.

This does not require you to indemnify us for loss caused by our own unlawful conduct, negligence or breach of a non-excludable obligation.

21. Suspension and Termination

We may suspend or close an account, remove content or restrict access where we reasonably believe that:

these Terms have been breached;
an account is fraudulent, automated or being misused;
content may be unlawful, unsafe or harmful;
another person’s rights may be affected;
continued access creates a security risk; or
doing so is reasonably necessary to protect the website or community.

• You may stop using the website at any time and may contact us to request closure of your account.

22. Reporting Content or Conduct

Please contact us if you believe that a listing or other content is:

• inaccurate or misleading;

• fraudulent or suspicious;

• unlawful or unsafe;

• abusive or discriminatory;

• infringing your rights; or

• otherwise inappropriate.

Reports can be submitted through the contact form on the Orara Valley Hub website.

We may request further information before taking action. Making a report does not guarantee that content will be removed, but we will consider reports in good faith.

23. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes to the website, its services or applicable legal requirements.

The updated Terms will be published on this page with a revised “Last updated” date. Continued use of the website after an update means that the revised Terms apply to your subsequent use.

24. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia.

You submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales and any courts entitled to hear appeals from them.

25. Contact Us

Questions, concerns or reports relating to these Terms may be submitted through the contact form on the Orara Valley Hub website.