In the Cove Chat Group

Rules & Guidelines for Participation

This guide is for all members of the In the Cove community chat groups on Facebook.

What the Chat group is for

The group exists to help residents share useful information, ask local questions, discuss community issues and stay connected.

Why we have rules

The group is large, active and valuable. Without clear boundaries, it can quickly become overwhelmed by advertising, repetitive posts, political arguments, unsafe recommendations and content that creates moderation or legal risks.

In the Cove staff and moderators spend real time reviewing posts, managing issues and keeping the group useful. We ask everyone to use the group in the spirit it was created.

Community groups, clubs and organisations

Eligible community organisations may post in the group. This includes sporting clubs, not-for-profit groups, churches, public schools, residents’ associations, community gardens and similar groups.

• Maximum once per week
• No repeated posts about the same event or campaign
• No posting multiple times in one evening or over a short period
• No using the group as though it is your organisation’s own page
• Content must be community-focused, not primarily self-promotional

Businesses

General business promotion is not allowed unless it is within a specific approved opportunity or with explicit permission from In the Cove.

• No advertising products or services
• No sharing sales, offers or packages
• No promoting paid workshops, classes or events
• No posting from or sharing your own business page
• No promoting networking groups, business directories or lead-generation groups
• No repeatedly tagging your own business

Self-recommendations

Self-recommendations are not permitted. If someone asks for a recommendation — a plumber, tutor, cleaner, tradie, babysitter or any other service — the response should come from genuine customers, not the business owner, their staff or associates.

Indirect or sneaky promotion

In the Cove may remove posts that appear community-minded but are primarily designed to benefit a business or commercial operator. This includes sharing your own business page, networking page or commercial platform, posting photos with local businesses to promote your own networking service, or using In the Cove’s audience to show clients or members that you can get them reach.

This may result in immediate removal from the group.

Political content

The Chat group is not a political campaign forum. No campaigning, party-political posts, candidate promotion or political attacks are allowed. Current elected officials may share factual, community-relevant information, maximum once per week, provided it meets In the Cove’s political content policy. During election periods, political posting may be restricted further.

Jobs, babysitting and service requests

Job-seeking posts are generally not permitted. This includes posts from people offering babysitting, tutoring, cleaning, gardening, odd jobs, pet sitting or similar services.

The group cannot verify every person’s qualifications, insurance, Working With Children Check status, experience or suitability, and allowing these posts can quickly turn the group into a free classifieds board.

Privacy, safety and legal guidelines

Posts may be removed if they show or identify people, children, private homes, car registration plates or personal information in a way that creates privacy, safety or legal concerns.

CCTV and doorbell footage may be sensitive. In the Cove may remove or decline posts that identify people, show minors, include private property, make allegations or create legal risk. Where appropriate, incidents should be reported to Police or the relevant authority first.

Moderation

In the Cove may remove posts or comments at its discretion. Members may be removed or blocked if they repeatedly ignore the rules, post excessively, promote themselves or their business, create conflict, mislead the community, post inappropriate content or use the group in a way inconsistent with its purpose.

In the Cove does not have the capacity to debate every moderation decision. The rules exist to protect the usefulness, fairness and safety of the group for everyone.

Questions

If you have a specific question that is not covered by these guidelines, you can contact [email protected]. Please note this is a very busy inbox.

Support In the Cove

In the Cove is an independent community publication with no corporate backing. If you find value in what we do for the Lane Cove community, we would love your support. Every contribution helps keep local journalism alive.

Support In the Cove →Every contribution helps keep local journalism alive.

These guidelines may be updated from time to time. Submission of information does not guarantee publication. Paid advertising does not guarantee editorial coverage. In the Cove reserves the right to edit, decline or remove content at its discretion.