Cancellation Policy

The following rates apply when a school/ group cancels an activity planned with Eco-Logic:

Activity cancelled 14 days prior to program 10% cancellation fee payable
Activity cancelled 7-13 days prior to program 25% cancellation fee payable
Activity cancelled 48 hours- 7 days prior to program 50% cancellation fee payable
Activity cancelled less than 48 hours prior to program 100% cancellation fee payable
Activity cancelled less than 48 hours prior to program, due to the DET’s decision such as a health warning. 50% cancellation fee payable

In the event of adverse weather or unsafe conditions, Eco-Logic will always offer an alternative activity at the same time as programmed. This may be an activity at camp using the same themes as the planned activity. If Snorkelling or Canoeing were planned, Eco-Logic may be able to reschedule the day or time to when conditions are appropriate or offer a program with similar themes such as bush or marine. When a reschedule is not possible due to limitations from either party, a $55 administration fee is payable to Eco-Logic.

We understand that schools or programs may be affected at short notice by decisions made by the Department of Education & Training or school principals/ councils regarding Fire Danger Ratings in the Summer months. In this situation our standard cancellation policy will apply, unless the cancellation is made less than 48 hours prior, when a 50% cancellation fee will apply for the program. Eco-Logic will do it’s best to reschedule the activity/ program later as required, though full fees for the new program will apply in addition to the cancellation fee charged.

On days of CFA’s Code Red/ Catastrophic rating, Eco-Logic will be completely closed for business. Any groups booked for activities on these days will be rescheduled where possible, or a full refund will be made to the group.

Environmental Field Ethics & Education Policy

Environmental Field Ethics

Eco-Logic is aware that taking groups of people to outdoor sites can cause damage, especially in fragile environments such as the intertidal zone and riverbanks. Eco-Logic is committed to maintaining the necessary permits and licences required to access and conduct environmental education activities on the Surf Coast and operate within these guidelines.

Eco-Logic’s Environmental Field Ethics & Education Policy applies minimum impact guidelines in alliance with Parks Victoria’s and Great Ocean Road Coast Committee recommendations for conducting tour activities on the land they manage, and Ecotourism Australia’s operating guidelines. Eco-Logic holds Tour Operator Licences with Parks Victoria and the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, as well as ‘Advanced EcoTourism Accreditation’ with Ecotourism Australia. Eco-Logic also holds other permits as necessary for seine net use, touch tank collection and display of wildlife (see Business Plan).

Eco-Logic works closely with Parks Victoria, Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Surf Coast Shire and DET’s Coast Action to monitor and report any threats or damage to the environment. Our involvement with these agencies includes keeping records of
fish counts, contributing to land management plans, providing environmental education programs and participating in workshops/ meetings. Our own practices for activities and site use/ access are continually reviewed to limit our impacts on the environments where we operate.

Eco-Logic is proud to offer Dune EduAction/ Environmental Projects that involve students in practical regeneration tasks at the sites where we conduct activities. This provides the opportunity for Eco-Logic and the visiting group to contribute to the conservation and improvement of the local environment.
Eco-Logic staff are required to operate consistently with the values promoted by this policy.

The following applies to all of Eco-Logic’s sessions, as applicable to the environment they are operating in and the activity they are undertaking.

During activities, Eco-Logic staff are to:

  • Ensure that no living thing is unduly stressed or injured during activities
  • Do not take live objects, use tools to dislodge animals, or kill animals
  • Return animals and overturned rocks to the same place and position they were found
  • Avoid picking up animals and view in situ where possible. Keep marine and estuarine animals below the surface of the water if required to display them (this may be in the rockpool, or in a bucket or container filled with water)
  • Discourage collection of shells from the beach
  • Request that participants avoid stepping on plants and animals where possible, avoid damage to plants from trampling – encourage participants to stay on tracks
  • Use only formal car parking and beach access points and not to drive on roads/tracks that are permanently, temporarily or seasonally closed by gates, signs or public notice
  • Where possible car-pool to activities
  • Encourage participants to pick up the litter of others while out on walks, emphasizing the negative effects of litter on marine and bird life, as well as the general environment
  • Carry a sturdy bag for rubbish collection and dispose of appropriately (green bags in backpack) Eco-Logic Education & Environment Services,
  • Environmental Ethics & Education Policy, 01 June 2017 …2
  • Know the seasonal nesting/ breeding times of native animals and promote minimal disturbance of these sites, e.g. keeping close to the low tide mark in
  • Hooded Plover (and other nesting shorebird) areas
  • View larger wildlife from a distance in a non-intrusive manner
  • Keep spotlights away from animal’s eyes and/or use red lenses on spotlights
  • Don’t allow flash photography of native animals at night
  • Avoid excessive noise in natural environments
  • Be aware of Aboriginal sites (where possible) and avoid negative impacts on them, speak respectfully of Aboriginal people, culture and sites
  • Promote awareness of cultural heritage, and respect for different cultures
  • Select appropriate access to sites, including minimising impact on sites used for launching canoes/SUPs, and entering snorkeling sites
  • Provide good instruction for use of equipment (e.g. torches, canoes, paddles, wetsuits) to ensure minimum disturbance to animals and the natural environment
  • Avoid accessing sensitive environments, keep groups clear of cliff faces and overhangs
  • Obey safety and environmental care signs
  • Promote the value and regulations regarding Marine Parks/ Sanctuaries and National Parks
  • Promote the value and role of local committees of management for coastal reserves, waterways, bushland reserves and the marine environment
  • Acknowledge Eco-logic’s commitment to working together with other tourism and non-tourism stakeholders
  • Inform Eco-Logic management or land managers when we notice threats or damage to the environment, e.g. weed invasions, erosion
  • Provide good group management that involves all participants complying with minimum impact practices, or being removed from the activity if appropriate behaviour is not displayed

Guiding Principles for Environmental Education

Eco-Logic Education & Environment Services began operation in 1996 to provide the opportunity for a wide range of people to safely explore and learn about the coastal, marine and bushland environments in the Anglesea region.

We continue to operate on the premise;

“Through interpretation, understanding
Through understanding, appreciation
Through appreciation, protection”
(USA National Parks Service)

Eco-Logic programs aim to be minimally intrusive on the environment, while encouraging participants to engage with nature and understand their impact upon it, both on site and at home. Activities are designed to be hands-on, experiential and interactive.

Eco-Logic’s activities have strong curriculum links for Prep to Year 12 levels, as well as tertiary studies, but are for all types of visiting groups to the Surfcoast.

Eco-Logic’s activities are aimed at helping participants to:

  • Have positive experiences of nature
  • Make personal connections with nature
  • Develop values regarding natural and cultural heritage
  • Understand land classifications (e.g. Marine Protected Areas and National Parks) and their values and regulations
  • Think critically about the way that humans use and impact upon natural environments
  • Work together with others to protect the environment
  • Develop and appreciate a sense of place
  • Develop and appreciate a sense of time
  • Apply minimum impact practices during and beyond the activity
  • Understand how their actions and decisions at home affect the environment
  • ‘Think globally, act locally’
  • Contribute to practical conservation tasks (from picking up litter, to completing a 1½ hour Dune EduAction activity)

Eco Logic Education & Environment Services

phone: 03 5263 1133
email: tours@ecologic.net.au

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