1. Definitions
1.1 “NP” means Independent Plaster Pty Ltd T/A Northern Plasterboard, its successors and assigns or any person acting on behalf of and with the authority of Independent Plaster Pty Ltd T/A Northern Plasterboard.
1.2 “Client” means the person/s buying the Goods as specified in any invoice, document or order, and if there is more than one Client is a reference to each Client jointly and severally.
1.3 “Goods” means all Goods or Services supplied by NP to the Client at the Client’s request from time to time (where the context so permits the terms ‘Goods’ or ‘Services’ shall be interchangeable for the other).
1.4 “Price” means the Price payable for the Goods as agreed between NP and the Client in accordance with clause 4 below.
2. Acceptance
2.1The Client is taken to have exclusively accepted and is immediately bound, jointly and severally, by these terms and conditions if the Client places an order for or accepts delivery of the Goods.
2.2These terms and conditions may only be amended with NP’s consent in writing and shall prevail to the extent of any inconsistency with any other document or agreement between the Client and NP.
3. Change in Control
3.1 The Client shall give NP not less than fourteen (14) days prior written notice of any proposed change of ownership of the Client and/or any other change in the Client’s details (including but not limited to, changes in the Client’s name, address, contact phone or fax number/s, or business practice). The Client shall be liable for any loss incurred by NP as a result of the Client’s failure to comply with this clause.
4. Price and Payment
4.1 At NP’s sole discretion the Price shall be either:
(a)as indicated on any invoice provided by NP to the Client; or
(b)the Price as at the date of delivery of the Goods according to NP’s current applicable price list; or
(c)NP’s quoted price (subject to clause 4.2) which will be valid for the period stated in the quotation or otherwise for a period of thirty (30) days.
4.2 NP reserves the right to change the Price:
(a)if a variation to the Goods which are to supplied is requested; or
(b)if a variation to the Services originally scheduled (including any applicable plans or specifications) is requested; or
(c)where additional Services are required due to the discovery of hidden or unidentifiable difficulties (including, but not limited to, limitations to accessing the site, prerequisite work by any third party not being completed, change of design, installation or remedial work due to poor or incorrect installation by a third party, etc.) which are only discovered on commencement of the Services; or
(d)in the event of increases to NP in the cost of labour or materials (including but not limited to overseas transactions that may increase as a consequence of variations in foreign currency rates of exchange and/or international freight and insurance charges) which are beyond NP’s control.
4.3 At NP’s sole discretion a non-refundable deposit may be required.
4.4 Time for payment for the Goods being of the essence, the Price will be payable by the Client on the date/s determined by NP, which may be:
(a)on delivery of the Goods;
(b)before delivery of the Goods;
(c)by way of instalments/progress payments in accordance with NP’s payment schedule;
(d)the date specified on any invoice or other form as being the date for payment; or
(e)failing any notice to the contrary, the date which is thirty (30) days following the date of any invoice given to the Client by NP.
4.5 Payment may be made by cash, cheque, electronic/on-line banking, credit card excluding Diners and Amex (plus a surcharge of up to two and a half percent (2.5%) of the Price), or by any other method as agreed to between the Client and NP.
4.6 Unless otherwise stated the Price does not include GST. In addition to the Price the Client must pay to NP an amount equal to any GST NP must pay for any supply by NP under this or any other agreement for the sale of the Goods. The Client must pay GST, without deduction or set off of any other amounts, at the same time and on the same basis as the Client pays the Price. In addition the Client must pay any other taxes and duties that may be applicable in addition to the Price except where they are expressly included in the Price.
5. Delivery of Goods
5.1 Delivery (“Delivery”) of the Goods is taken to occur at the time that:
(a)the Client or the Client’s nominated carrier takes possession of the Goods at NP’s address; or
(b)NP (or NP’s nominated carrier) delivers the Goods to the Client’s nominated address even if the Client is not present at the address.
5.2 At NP’s sole discretion the cost of delivery is in addition to the Price.
5.3The Client must take delivery by receipt or collection of the Goods whenever they are tendered for delivery. In the event that the Client is unable to take delivery of the Goods as arranged then NP shall be entitled to charge a reasonable fee for redelivery and/or storage.
5.4 NP may deliver the Goods in separate instalments. Each separate instalment shall be invoiced and paid in accordance with the provisions in these terms and conditions.
5.5 Any time or date given by NP to the Client is an estimate only. The Client must still accept delivery of the Goods even if late and NP will not be liable for any loss or damage incurred by the Client as a result of the delivery being late.
6. Risk
6.1 Risk of damage to or loss of the Goods passes to the Client on Delivery and the Client must insure the Goods on or before Delivery.
6.2 If any of the Goods are damaged or destroyed following delivery but prior to ownership passing to the Client, NP is entitled to receive all insurance proceeds payable for the Goods. The production of these terms and conditions by NP is sufficient evidence of NP’s rights to receive the insurance proceeds without the need for any person dealing with NP to make further enquiries.
6.3 If the Client requests NP to leave Goods outside NP’s premises for collection or to deliver the Goods to an unattended location then such Goods shall be left at the Client’s sole risk.
6.4 Plaster is a natural, handmade product and as such may exhibit variations in texture, shade, colour, surface, finish, markings, and contain natural fissures, occlusions, and indentations. Whilst NP will make every effort to match sales samples to the finished Goods NP accepts no liability whatsoever where such samples differ to the finished Goods supplied and as such shall not be deemed as a defect.
6.5 NP shall not be liable whatsoever for any loss or damage to the works (including, but not limited to, painted surfaces, and mouldings) that is caused by any other tradesmen.
6.6 The Client accepts that alterations to orders will not be accepted by NP once production of the Goods have commenced.
7. Client’s Responsibilities
7.1 It is the intention of NP and agreed by the Client that it is the responsibility of the Client to provide and have erected scaffolding to enable the Services to be undertaken (where in NP’s opinion it is deemed necessary). It is also agreed that all scaffolding erected will comply with industry safety standards and that any person erecting the scaffolding shall be suitably qualified to ensure its safe and proper erection and where necessary shall hold a current certificate of competency and/or be fully licensed.
7.2 The Client agrees to remove any furniture, furnishings or personal goods from the vicinity of the works and agrees that NP shall not be liable for any damage caused to those items through the Client’s failure to comply with this clause.
8. Access
8.1 The Client shall ensure that NP has clear and free access to the work site at all times to enable them to undertake the works. NP shall not be liable for any loss or damage to the site (including, without limitation, damage to pathways, driveways and concreted or paved or grassed areas) unless due to the negligence of NP.
9. Title
9.1 NP and the Client agree that ownership of the Goods shall not pass until:
(a)the Client has paid NP all amounts owing to NP; and
(b)the Client has met all of its other obligations to NP.
9.2 Receipt by NP of any form of payment other than cash shall not be deemed to be payment until that form of payment has been honoured, cleared or recognised.
9.3 It is further agreed that:
(a)until ownership of the Goods passes to the Client in accordance with clause 9.1 that the Client is only a bailee of the Goods and must return the Goods to NP on request.
(b)the Client holds the benefit of the Client’s insurance of the Goods on trust for NP and must pay to NP the proceeds of any insurance in the event of the Goods being lost, damaged or destroyed.
(c)the Client must not sell, dispose, or otherwise part with possession of the Goods other than in the ordinary course of business and for market value. If the Client sells, disposes or parts with possession of the Goods then the Client must hold the proceeds of any such act on trust for NP and must pay or deliver the proceeds to NP on demand.
(d)the Client should not convert or process the Goods or intermix them with other goods but if the Client does so then the Client holds the resulting product on trust for the benefit of NP and must sell, dispose of or return the resulting product to NP as it so directs.
(e)the Client irrevocably authorises NP to enter any premises where NP believes the Goods are kept and recover possession of the Goods.
(f)NP may recover possession of any Goods in transit whether or not delivery has occurred.
(g)the Client shall not charge or grant an encumbrance over the Goods nor grant nor otherwise give away any interest in the Goods while they remain the property of NP.
(h)NP may commence proceedings to recover the Price of the Goods sold notwithstanding that ownership of the Goods has not passed to the Client.
10.Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (“PPSA”)
10.1 In this clause financing statement, financing change statement, security agreement, and security interest has the meaning given to it by the PPSA.
10.2 Upon assenting to these terms and conditions in writing the Client acknowledges and agrees that these terms and conditions constitute a security agreement for the purposes of the PPSA and creates a security interest in all Goods that have previously been supplied and that will be supplied in the future by NP to the Client.
10.3 The Client undertakes to:
(a)promptly sign any further documents and/or provide any further information (such information to be complete, accurate and up-to-date in all respects) which NP may reasonably require to;
(i)register a financing statement or financing change statement in relation to a security interest on the Personal Property Securities Register;
(ii)register any other document required to be registered by the PPSA; or
(iii)correct a defect in a statement referred to in clause 10.3(a)(i) or 10.3(a)(ii);
(b)indemnify, and upon demand reimburse, NP for all expenses incurred in registering a financing statement or financing change statement on the Personal Property Securities Register established by the PPSA or releasing any Goods charged thereby;
(c)not register a financing change statement in respect of a security interest without the prior written consent of NP;
(d)not register, or permit to be registered, a financing statement or a financing change statement in relation to the Goods in favour of a third party without the prior written consent of NP;
(e)immediately advise NP of any material change in its business practices of selling the Goods which would result in a change in the nature of proceeds derived from such sales.
10.4 NP and the Client agree that sections 96, 115 and 125 of the PPSA do not apply to the security agreement created by these terms and conditions.
10.5 The Client waives their rights to receive notices under sections 95, 118, 121(4), 130, 132(3)(d) and 132(4) of the PPSA.
10.6 The Client waives their rights as a grantor and/or a debtor under sections 142 and 143 of the PPSA.
10.7 Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by NP, the Client waives their right to receive a verification statement in accordance with section 157 of the PPSA.
10.8 The Client must unconditionally ratify any actions taken by NP under clauses 10.3 to 10.5.
10.9 Subject to any express provisions to the contrary nothing in these terms and conditions is intended to have the effect of contracting out of any of the provisions of the PPSA.
11. Security and Charge
11.1 In consideration of NP agreeing to supply the Goods, the Client charges all of its rights, title and interest (whether joint or several) in any land, realty or other assets capable of being charged, owned by the Client either now or in the future, to secure the performance by the Client of its obligations under these terms and conditions (including, but not limited to, the payment of any money).
11.2 The Client indemnifies NP from and against all NP’s costs and disbursements including legal costs on a solicitor and own client basis incurred in exercising NP’s rights under this clause.
11.3 The Client irrevocably appoints NP and each director of NP as the Client’s true and lawful attorney/s to perform all necessary acts to give effect to the provisions of this clause 11 including, but not limited to, signing any document on the Client’s behalf.
12. Defects, Warranties and Returns, Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA)
12.1 The Client must inspect the Goods on delivery and must within twenty-four (24) hours of delivery notify NP in writing of any evident defect/damage, shortage in quantity, or failure to comply with the description or quote. The Client must notify any other alleged defect in the Goods within five (5) days of delivery of any such defect. Upon such notification the Client must preserve the Goods intact for fourteen (14) days to allow NP to inspect the Goods.
12.2 Under applicable State, Territory and Commonwealth Law (including, without limitation the CCA), certain statutory implied guarantees and warranties (including, without limitation the statutory guarantees under the CCA) may be implied into these terms and conditions (Non-Excluded Guarantees).
12.3 NP acknowledges that nothing in these terms and conditions purports to modify or exclude the Non-Excluded Guarantees.
12.4 Except as expressly set out in these terms and conditions or in respect of the Non-Excluded Guarantees, NP makes no warranties or other representations under these terms and conditions including but not limited to the quality or suitability of the Goods. NP’s liability in respect of these warranties is limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.
12.5 If the Client is a consumer within the meaning of the CCA, NP’s liability is limited to the extent permitted by section 64A of Schedule 2.
12.6 If NP is required to replace the Goods under this clause or the CCA, but is unable to do so, NP may refund any money the Client has paid for the Goods.
12.7 If the Client is not a consumer within the meaning of the CCA, NP’s liability for any defect or damage in the Goods is:
(a)limited to the value of any express warranty or warranty card provided to the Client by NP at NP’s sole discretion;
(b)limited to any warranty to which NP is entitled, if NP did not manufacture the Goods;
(c)otherwise negated absolutely.
12.8 Subject to this clause 12, returns will only be accepted provided that:
(a)the Client has complied with the provisions of clause 12.1; and
(b)NP has agreed that the Goods are defective; and
(c)the Goods are returned within a reasonable time at the Client’s cost (if that cost is not significant); and
(d)the Goods are returned in as close a condition to that in which they were delivered as is possible.
12.9 Notwithstanding clauses 12.1 to 12.8 but subject to the CCA, NP shall not be liable for any defect or damage which may be caused or partly caused by or arise as a result of:
(a)the Client failing to properly maintain or store any Goods;
(b)the Client using the Goods for any purpose other than that for which they were designed;
(c)the Client continuing the use of any Goods after any defect became apparent or should have become apparent to a reasonably prudent operator or user;
(d)the Client failing to follow any instructions or guidelines provided by NP
(e)incorrect installation by the Client or a third party;
(f)fair wear and tear, any accident, or act of God.
12.10 Notwithstanding anything contained in this clause if NP is required by a law to accept a return then NP will only accept a return on the conditions imposed by that law.
13. Intellectual Property
13.1 Where NP has designed, drawn or developed Goods for the Client, then the copyright in any designs and drawings and documents shall remain the property of NP.
13.2 The Client agrees that NP may (at no cost) use for the purposes of marketing or entry into any competition, any documents, designs, drawings or Goods which NP has created for the Client.
14. Default and Consequences of Default
14.1 Interest on overdue invoices shall accrue daily from the date when payment becomes due, until the date of payment, at a rate of two and a half percent (2.5%) per calendar month (and at NP’s sole discretion such interest shall compound monthly at such a rate) after as well as before any judgment.
14.2 If the Client owes NP any money the Client shall indemnify NP from and against all costs and disbursements incurred by NP in recovering the debt (including but not limited to internal administration fees, legal costs on a solicitor and own client basis, NP’s contract default fee, and bank dishonour fees).
14.3 Without prejudice to any other remedies NP may have, if at any time the Client is in breach of any obligation (including those relating to payment) under these terms and conditions NP may suspend or terminate the supply of Goods to the Client. NP will not be liable to the Client for any loss or damage the Client suffers because NP has exercised its rights under this clause.
14.4 Without prejudice to NP’s other remedies at law NP shall be entitled to cancel all or any part of any order of the Client which remains unfulfilled and all amounts owing to NP shall, whether or not due for payment, become immediately payable if:
(a)any money payable to NP becomes overdue, or in NP’s opinion the Client will be unable to make a payment when it falls due;
(b)the Client becomes insolvent, convenes a meeting with its creditors or proposes or enters into an arrangement with creditors, or makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(c)a receiver, manager, liquidator (provisional or otherwise) or similar person is appointed in respect of the Client or any asset of the Client.
15. Cancellation
15.1 NP may cancel any contract to which these terms and conditions apply or cancel delivery of Goods at any time before the Goods are delivered by giving written notice to the Client. On giving such notice NP shall repay to the Client any money paid by the Client for the Goods. NP shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from such cancellation.
15.2 In the event that the Client cancels delivery of Goods the Client shall be liable for any and all loss incurred (whether direct or indirect) by NP as a direct result of the cancellation (including, but not limited to, any loss of profits).
15.3 Cancellation of orders for Goods made to the Client’s specifications, or for non-stocklist items, will definitely not be accepted once production has commenced, or an order has been placed.
16. Privacy Act 1988
16.1 The Client agrees for NP to obtain from a credit reporting body (CRB) a credit report containing personal credit information (e.g. name, address, D.O.B, occupation, previous credit applications, credit history) about the Client in relation to credit provided by NP.
16.2 The Client agrees that NP may exchange information about the Client with those credit providers and with related body corporates for the following purposes:
(a)to assess an application by the Client; and/or
(b)to notify other credit providers of a default by the Client; and/or
(c)to exchange information with other credit providers as to the status of this credit account, where the Client is in default with other credit providers; and/or
(d)to assess the creditworthiness of the Client including the Client’s repayment history in the preceding two years.
16.3 The Client consents to NP being given a consumer credit report to collect overdue payment on commercial credit.
16.4 The Client agrees that personal credit information provided may be used and retained by NP for the following purposes (and for other agreed purposes or required by):
(a)the provision of Goods; and/or
(b)analysing, verifying and/or checking the Client’s credit, payment and/or status in relation to the provision of Goods; and/or
(c)processing of any payment instructions, direct debit facilities and/or credit facilities requested by the Client; and/or
(d)enabling the collection of amounts outstanding in relation to the Goods.
16.5 NP may give information about the Client to a CRB for the following purposes:
(a)to obtain a consumer credit report;
(b)allow the CRB to create or maintain a credit information file about the Client including credit history.
16.6 The information given to the CRB may include:
(a)personal information as outlined in 16.1 above;
(b)name of the credit provider and that NP is a current credit provider to the Client;
(c)whether the credit provider is a licensee;
(d)type of consumer credit;
(e)details concerning the Client’s application for credit or commercial credit (e.g. date of commencement/termination of the credit account and the amount requested);
(f)advice of consumer credit defaults, overdue accounts, loan repayments oroutstanding monies which are overdue by more than sixty (60) days and for which written notice for request of payment has been made and debt recovery action commenced or alternatively that the Client no longer has any overdue accounts and NP has been paid or otherwise discharged and all details surrounding that discharge(e.g. dates of payments);
(g)information that, in the opinion of NP, the Client has committed a serious credit infringement;
(h)advice that the amount of the Client’s overdue payment is equal to or more than one hundred and fifty dollars ($150).
16.7 The Client shall have the right to request (by e-mail) from NP:
(a)a copy of the information about the Client retained by NP and the right to request that NP correct any incorrect information; and
(b)that NP does not disclose any personal information about the Client for the purpose of direct marketing.
16.8 NP will destroy personal information upon the Client’s request (by e-mail) or if it is no longer required unless it is required in order to fulfil the obligations of this agreement or is required to be maintained and/or stored in accordance with the law.
16.9 The Client can make a privacy complaint by contacting NP via e-mail. NP will respond to that complaint within seven (7) days of receipt and will take all reasonable steps to make a decision as to the complaint within thirty (30) days of receipt of the complaint. In the event that the Client is not satisfied with the resolution provided, the Client can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au.
17. Dispute Resolution
17.1 If a dispute arises between the parties to this contract then either party shall send to the other party a notice of dispute in writing adequately identifying and providing details of the dispute. Within fourteen (14) days after service of a notice of dispute, the parties shall confer at least once, to attempt to resolve the dispute. At any such conference each party shall be represented by a person having authority to agree to a resolution of the dispute. In the event that the dispute cannot be so resolved either party may by further notice in writing delivered by hand or sent by certified mail to the other party refer such dispute to arbitration.Any arbitration shall be:
(a)referred to a single arbitrator to be nominated by the President of the Institute of Arbitrators Australia; and
(b)conducted in accordance with the Institute of Arbitrators Australia Rules for the Conduct of Commercial Arbitration.
18. Compliance with Laws
18.1 The Client agrees that the site will comply with any occupational health and safety laws relating to building/construction sites and any other relevant safety standards or legislation.
19. Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002
19.1 At NP’s sole discretion, if there are any disputes or claims for unpaid Goods and/or Services then the provisions of the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 may apply.
19.2 Nothing in this agreement is intended to have the affect of contracting out of any applicable provisions of the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 of Victoria, except to the extent permitted by the Act where applicable.
20. General
20.1 The failure by NP to enforce any provision of these terms and conditions shall not be treated as a waiver of that provision, nor shall it affect NP’s right to subsequently enforce that provision. If any provision of these terms and conditions shall be invalid, void, illegal or unenforceable the validity, existence, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected, prejudiced or impaired.
20.2 These terms and conditions and any contract to which they apply shall be governed by the laws of Victoria in which NP has its principal place of business, and are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Melbourne in Victoria.
20.3 Subject to clause 12, NP shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Client for any indirect and/or consequential loss and/or expense (including loss of profit) suffered by the Client arising out of a breach by NP of these terms and conditions (alternatively NP’s liability shall be limited to damages which under no circumstances shall exceed the Price of the Goods).
20.4 The Client shall not be entitled to set off against, or deduct from the Price, any sums owed or claimed to be owed to the Client by NP nor to withhold payment of any invoice because part of that invoice is in dispute.
20.5 NP may license or sub-contract all or any part of its rights and obligations without the Client’s consent.
20.6 The Client agrees that NP may amend these terms and conditions at any time. If NP makes a change to these terms and conditions, then that change will take effect from the date on which NP notifies the Client of such change. The Client will be taken to have accepted such changes if the Client makes a further request for NP to provide Goods to the Client.
20.7 Neither party shall be liable for any default due to any act of God, war, terrorism, strike, lock-out, industrial action, fire, flood, storm or other event beyond the reasonable control of either party.
20.8 The Client warrants that it has the power to enter into this agreement and has obtained all necessary authorisations to allow it to do so, it is not insolvent and that this agreement creates binding and valid legal obligations on it.