This service is for non-rprofit community based organisations servicing the community of the greater Ballarat region. But orgamosation doesn't have to be strictly within the local government boundaries of the City of Ballarat. Your organisation doesn't have to be incorporated but there must be a clear organisational structure and community focus. The service is not available to individuals.
The Ballarat Community Server is purely a facility for inclusive non-profit organisations and clubs who support our local communities. Its doesn't host sites for political causes or for any purpose that is divisive or exclusionary.
The short answer is no. This project contols and manages the ballarat.vic.au domain name on behalf of the Ballarat community. If your organisation or club does not have a domain we will be able to rovide you with a domain name such as your-org-name.ballarat.vic.au and you will be able to set up email addresses such as yourname@your-org-name.org.au .
If your organisation or club does have its own domain name, yuo'll be able to use that with the Ballarat Community Server.
The service provided bythe Ballarat Community Server are hosted maintained an managed by Lateral Plains Pty Ltd. Essentially they provide the 'bakcend management and maintenmance of the system. The services provideddo not include web design and development, or 'hands on' management of the acounts and services provided therein.
An online forum and communiy based discussioin system is available to ensure that members of the Ballarat Community Server and web developers, volunteer or otherwuse, are able to network, exhcnge information and provide mutual assistance to each other.
The service provided bythe Ballarat Community Server are hosted maintained an managed by Lateral Plains Pty Ltd. Essentially they provide the 'bakcend management and maintenmance of the system. The services provideddo not include web design and development, or 'hands on' management of the acounts and services provided therein.
An online forum and communiy based discussioin system is available to ensure that members of the Ballarat Community Server and web developers, volunteer or otherwuse, are able to network, exhcnge information and provide mutual assistance to each other.
As a community-based facility, it is the responsibility of all users and participants to ensure that the Ballarat Community Server is used in the best interests of everyone involved. All users and participants are subject to this Acceptable Use Policy.
1. Introduction and Acceptance
This Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) governs the use of services provided by the Ballarat Community Server (referred to as "the Server"), including but not limited to web hosting, domain name services, and email services (collectively, "the Services"). The Services are provided free of charge to eligible non-profit organisations, community groups, and clubs operating within the Ballarat region.
By utilizing the Services, the organisation or club (referred to as "the User") agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions outlined in this AUP. Violations of this AUP may result in the suspension or termination of the User's services.
2. General Use Policy
The User agrees to use the Services only for lawful, ethical purposes that align with their stated non-profit or community mission.
2.1. Legal Compliance
The User must comply with all applicable Australian Commonwealth, Victorian state, and local laws and regulations, including but not limited to:
- Copyright and Intellectual Property laws
- Privacy and Data Protection laws
- Defamation laws
- Laws prohibiting illegal gambling, narcotics, and the sale of illicit goods
2.2. Prohibited Content and Conduct
The User is strictly prohibited from uploading, posting, transmitting, storing, or otherwise distributing any content or engaging in any conduct that:
- Is Illegal or Promotes Illegal Acts: Content that facilitates or promotes any criminal activity.
- Is Harmful or Threatening: Content that is harassing, libellous, defamatory, abusive, or excessively violent.
- Is Discriminatory: Content that promotes or encourages discrimination, hate speech, or violence against any group or individual based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.
- Is Sexually Explicit: Content containing child pornography or non-consensual depictions of sexually explicit materials.
- Infringes Rights: Content that violates any third party's intellectual property rights (including copyright, trademark, and patent rights) or privacy rights.
- Misrepresents: Content that involves "phishing," impersonation, or deceptive practices.
3. Web Hosting Usage
The User's use of the web hosting service must align with the purpose of the Ballarat Community Server: to support legitimate non-profit and community activities.
3.1. Resource Limits
The Services are shared resources. The User must use resources (CPU, storage, bandwidth, and memory) in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with other Users' enjoyment of the Services.
Excessive Use: The Server reserves the right to suspend or terminate services for any User whose usage significantly degrades the overall performance of the Server or network, particularly if the usage is disproportionate to their stated community purpose.
Backups: The Server is not a primary backup solution. While the Server may perform backups, Users are responsible for maintaining their own local copies of their website data, emails, and files.
3.2. Prohibited Hosting Uses
The Services may not be used for:
- Mass Storage: Storing large archives of unrelated or personal files (e.g., a photo gallery not directly related to the organisation’s mission).
- Commercial Resale: Reselling or providing any part of the Server's services to other organisations or individuals for commercial gain.
- Proxy Services: Operating public proxy servers, Tor exit nodes, or anonymizing services.
- Streaming Media: Operating high-volume, continuous streaming media platforms without prior, explicit written permission.
4. Email Usage Policy
The email services are provided to facilitate official communication for the User's non-profit or community activities.
4.1. Anti-Spam Policy
The transmission, distribution, or delivery of unsolicited bulk email ("spam") using the Services is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Sending unsolicited marketing, advertising, or informational emails to a mass audience without verifiable consent ("opt-in").
- Using the Services to collect replies to messages sent from another service if those messages violate this AUP.
- Using a third-party email service to distribute spam that directly advertises or links to a website hosted on the Server.
4.2. Mailing Lists
Users operating mailing lists must:
- Ensure all recipients have explicitly consented to receive emails from the organisation.
- Provide a clear and functional mechanism for recipients to unsubscribe or opt-out from the list.
- Promptly remove non-deliverable email addresses ("bounces") from the mailing list.
5. System and Network Security
The User may not attempt to compromise the security of the Server or its network.
5.1. Prohibited Security Activities
Any activity that compromises the security, stability, or integrity of the Services, the Server, or any third-party network is prohibited, including:
- Hacking: Attempting to gain unauthorized access to any account, server, or network.
- Malware: Distributing, installing, or executing any viruses, Trojans, worms, or other malicious software.
- Denial of Service (DoS): Launching or participating in a Denial of Service attack against any server or network.
- Vulnerability Testing: Conducting unauthorized network scanning or security vulnerability testing of the Server or any connected networks.
5.2. Account Security
Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their account passwords and for all activities that occur under their account. The User must notify the Server administrators immediately upon discovering any unauthorized use of their account or any other breach of security.
6. Violations and Enforcement
6.1. Reporting Violations
Any suspected violations of this AUP should be reported immediately to the Server administrators (see Section 7).
6.2. Action Upon Violation
The Server reserves the sole right to determine what constitutes a violation of this AUP. Upon becoming aware of an alleged violation, the Server may take any of the following actions at its sole discretion and without prior notice:
- Issue a Warning: A formal notice requiring the User to correct the violation.
- Suspend Services: Temporarily suspend access to the User's website or email service until the violation is resolved.
- Terminate Services: Permanently terminate the User's account and remove all associated data from the Server.
- Reporting: Report illegal activities to law enforcement authorities.
The Server will generally attempt to notify the User before taking enforcement action but reserves the right to suspend or terminate services immediately if necessary to protect the Server, its network, or other Users.
7. Contact Information
Questions or reports regarding this Acceptable Use Policy should be directed to the Server administration.
Ballarat Community Server Administration
Email: info@ballarat.vic.au
Phone: 03 53 177 123
Mailing Address: Building 'N' (Barker Building), 102 Albert Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria 3350
Effective Date: 1st October 2025
