Terms & Conditions
Membership, equipment loan, and website use — please read before participating in our programs.
Membership
Eligibility
Membership of Steels Creek Landcare Group is open to landholders, residents and interested community members within and around the Steels Creek catchment area, including Yarra Glen and surrounding districts. Rural residents, hobby farm owners and urban-fringe residents are all welcome.
Annual Fee
The current annual membership fee is $25 per household. Fees are reviewed at each AGM and members will be notified of any changes. The membership year runs from 1 July to 30 June.
Renewal
Memberships are due for renewal each year. Members who have not renewed by 31 August are considered unfinancial and forfeit access to member-only services including equipment loans. Renewal reminders are sent by email.
Cancellation & Refunds
Members may cancel at any time by notifying the Secretary in writing. Membership fees are non-refundable once the membership year has commenced.
Equipment Loan
Eligibility
Equipment is available to financial members only. Non-members may not borrow equipment under any circumstances. Members are responsible for ensuring their membership is current before booking.
Booking
All equipment must be booked in advance via the online booking form or by contacting the Equipment Coordinator. Equipment is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The Equipment Coordinator reserves the right to refuse a booking where a member has an outstanding obligation from a previous loan.
Loan Period
Standard loan periods are outlined below. Extensions may be granted at the Equipment Coordinator's discretion, subject to availability and no competing bookings.
- Spray units (200L & 600L): up to 7 days
- Log splitter: up to 3 days
- Fertiliser spreader: up to 3 days
- Garden mulcher: up to 3 days
- Fencing equipment: up to 7 days
- Safety & signage kit: up to 7 days
Member Responsibilities
- Collect and return equipment at the agreed time and location
- Inspect equipment on collection and report any pre-existing damage immediately
- Use equipment only for its intended purpose
- Operate equipment safely and in accordance with any provided instructions
- Clean equipment thoroughly before return — chemicals must be fully flushed from spray units
- Refuel any petrol-powered equipment before return
- Ensure equipment is returned in the same condition as collected
Damage & Loss
Damage must be reported to the Equipment Coordinator immediately. Do not attempt to repair equipment yourself. Members who damage equipment without reporting it may have their borrowing privileges suspended.
Chemical Use
Members using spray equipment must hold a current Victorian Chemical Users Certificate or be under the direct supervision of a certificate holder. Members are responsible for sourcing, handling and disposing of all chemicals in accordance with label requirements and Victorian law.
Suspension of Borrowing Privileges
Borrowing privileges may be suspended if a member returns equipment late, fails to clean equipment, causes damage without reporting it, or misuses equipment in any way. Reinstatement is at the discretion of the Committee.
Equipment Use & Responsibility
1.1 Authorised Use Only
- Equipment may only be used for the stated purpose in your booking request
- Equipment must not be used for commercial purposes without explicit written permission from the Committee
- Equipment may only be operated by the authorised borrower or their designated agents who have been approved at the time of booking
- Subletting or lending equipment to third parties is strictly prohibited
1.2 Care and Maintenance
- You are responsible for the proper care and safekeeping of all equipment for the full duration of your loan period
- Equipment must be operated according to manufacturer instructions and all applicable safety guidelines
- Any defects or damage discovered during use must be reported to the Equipment Coordinator immediately — do not continue using damaged equipment
- Equipment must be returned clean and in the same condition as received, including flushing of spray units and refuelling of petrol-powered equipment
Safety & Compliance
2.1 Safety Requirements
- You must possess adequate knowledge and skills to safely operate the equipment before commencing use — if in doubt, contact the Equipment Coordinator before your booking
- All applicable personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used at all times during operation
- All local, state and federal safety regulations relevant to the equipment and its use must be followed
- Equipment must be inspected before and after each use — pre-use inspection confirms suitability for use; post-use inspection confirms the equipment is undamaged and ready for the next borrower
Chemical Operators
Members using spray equipment must hold a current Victorian Chemical Users Certificate or operate under the direct supervision of a certificate holder. Members are solely responsible for sourcing, handling, applying and disposing of all chemicals in accordance with label requirements, Safe Work Australia guidance and Victorian law.
Liability & Insurance
Public Liability
Steels Creek Landcare Group holds public liability insurance through its affiliation with Landcare Victoria and the Northern Yarra Landcare Network. This covers group-organised activities on public and private land.
4.1 Limitation of Liability
- All equipment is provided "as-is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability
- The Group is not liable for any injuries, damages or losses — direct, indirect or consequential — arising from your use of any equipment
- You assume all risks associated with equipment use, including risks arising from equipment condition, your level of skill, and conditions at the site of use
- You are solely responsible for any damage caused to third-party property during your use of the equipment
4.2 Indemnification
- You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Steels Creek Landcare Group, its committee members, volunteers and representatives from any and all claims, liabilities, costs or expenses arising from your use of equipment
- You are liable for any claims made by third parties arising from your use of the equipment during the loan period
- Your personal insurance coverage should include equipment use and associated liability — the Group strongly recommends confirming this with your insurer before borrowing
4.3 Damage and Loss
- You are financially responsible for the full cost of repair or replacement of any equipment damaged or lost during your loan period
- Damage assessments will be made by qualified personnel nominated by the Committee — the assessment outcome is final
- Normal wear and tear is expected and acceptable; you will not be held responsible for pre-existing damage noted at the time of collection
- Theft or total loss must be reported to Victoria Police immediately and a copy of the report provided to the Equipment Coordinator within 48 hours
Events & Activities
Participation
Participation in Steels Creek Landcare events and working bees is voluntary. All participants are expected to follow the directions of the activity coordinator and to conduct themselves in a safe and respectful manner.
Health & Safety
Participants must inform the activity coordinator of any health conditions that may affect their safe participation. Appropriate footwear and clothing must be worn at all physical activities. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Photography & Media
Photos and video may be taken at events for use in newsletters, social media and grant reporting. If you do not wish to be photographed, please notify the coordinator at the start of the activity. Photos of children will not be published without explicit parental consent.
Cancellations
Events may be cancelled or postponed due to weather, low registrations or other circumstances beyond our control. Members will be notified as early as possible by email.
Privacy
Information We Collect
We collect personal information (name, address, email, phone number) when you join as a member, book equipment, register for events, or contact us. This information is used solely for the administration of Group activities and communications.
How We Use It
- Processing membership and equipment bookings
- Sending newsletters, event notices and renewal reminders
- Grant acquittal and reporting to funding bodies (de-identified where possible)
- Contacting you about equipment loan matters
Sharing
We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties, except where required by law or where necessary to administer Northern Yarra Landcare Network programs. Member lists are not provided to external organisations.
Opting Out
You may opt out of non-essential communications at any time by emailing [email protected]. Essential communications related to equipment loans and membership will continue.
Website Use
Accuracy of Information
We endeavour to keep the information on this website current and accurate. However, Steels Creek Landcare Group makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the content. Equipment availability, event dates and membership fees are subject to change.
Third-Party Links
This website contains links to external websites including partner organisations, government agencies and landcare resources. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those sites.
Intellectual Property
All content on this website — including text, photographs, logos and design — is the property of Steels Creek Landcare Group or is used with permission. Content may not be reproduced without written permission.
Cookies
This site is hosted on Weebly and may use cookies for basic site functionality and analytics. No personally identifying information is collected through cookies. You may disable cookies in your browser settings.
Code of Conduct
All members, volunteers and visitors are expected to:
- Treat fellow members, landholders and the public with courtesy and respect
- Follow the directions of activity coordinators and committee members
- Take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of those around them
- Respect the land and property of host landholders
- Leave sites in the same or better condition than found
- Represent the Group positively in the broader community
- Refrain from discriminatory, harassing or offensive behaviour of any kind
Child Safety
Steels Creek Landcare Group is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children who participate in or are present at our activities. We support the right of every child to feel safe, respected and protected.
Our Commitment
- Children under 16 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult at all times during activities
- Photographs of children will not be taken or published without explicit written parental or guardian consent
- All members and volunteers are expected to model appropriate, respectful behaviour toward children at all times
- Any concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child at a Group activity must be raised with the activity coordinator or a Committee member immediately
Reporting
Any allegation or concern of child abuse or inappropriate conduct toward a child must be reported to the relevant authorities. Victoria Police: 000 (emergency) or 131 444 (non-urgent). Child Protection: 13 12 78.
Our approach to child safety is guided by the Landcare Victoria Child Safety Guidelines (2022). Members working with or around children are encouraged to read these guidelines.
□ Download Child Safety Guidelines (PDF)
Dispute Resolution
We aim to resolve any disputes quickly and fairly. The following process applies:
- Step 1 — Direct communication: Disputes should first be raised directly with the Equipment Coordinator or Secretary. Most issues can be resolved informally at this stage.
- Step 2 — Committee review: If the matter cannot be resolved informally, either party may request a formal review by the Committee. The Committee will consider the matter at its next scheduled meeting and provide a written response.
- Step 3 — Mediation: Where a Committee decision does not resolve the matter, parties may agree to independent mediation. The cost of mediation will be shared equally unless otherwise agreed.
Questions & Contact
These terms were last reviewed in January 2026 and may be updated from time to time. Continued membership or equipment use constitutes acceptance of the current terms as published on this page.
If you have questions about these terms, please contact the Secretary:
Get in Touch
Questions about membership, equipment loans or these terms? We're happy to help.
[email protected]