Terms and Conditions

Last updated: May 2026

Who We Are

www.inthecove.com.au is owned by Consult & Comply Pty Ltd trading as In the Cove. In these Terms and Conditions, “In the Cove”, “ITC”, “we”, “our” and “us” refer to Consult & Comply Pty Ltd trading as In the Cove.

In the Cove is an independent local news and information platform focused on Lane Cove and surrounding areas. We publish local news, community information, events, guides, business information, sponsored content, advertising and other material that we consider relevant to our local audience.

These Terms and Conditions apply to our website, newsletter, social media platforms, Facebook groups, event calendar, business directory, classifieds, forms and any other In the Cove platform or publication.

Acceptance of These Terms

By accessing, using, submitting content to or interacting with In the Cove, you agree to these Terms and Conditions and any other policies or guidelines referred to on this page.

If you do not agree with these Terms and Conditions, you must not use our website, submit content to us or interact with our platforms.

Our Editorial Position

In the Cove aims to provide relevant, useful and timely information for Lane Cove residents, businesses, community groups and visitors.

We create our own editorial content and also receive information, tips, images, videos, media releases, event listings, business updates and community notices from members of the public, businesses, government bodies and community organisations.

Publication is never guaranteed. We may edit, decline, remove or choose not to publish any material at our discretion.

Editorial Independence

In the Cove is an independent local news platform. Our editorial content is not controlled by advertisers, sponsors, contributors, businesses, government bodies, political parties or other outside organisations.

We earn income from advertising, sponsored content, business listings, campaigns and other commercial arrangements. We may also receive reader support, sponsorship or other contributions.

Paid advertising does not guarantee editorial coverage, favourable coverage or influence over In the Cove’s independent reporting, commentary, investigations or editorial decisions.

Where we publish paid advertising or sponsored content, we aim to make that clear to readers through appropriate labelling, placement or context.

Accuracy, Fairness and Corrections

In the Cove aims to publish information that is accurate, useful and presented in context.

We make reasonable efforts to check important facts, attribute information to sources where appropriate and provide a reasonable opportunity to respond where serious allegations or criticisms are made.

If you believe we have made a factual error, please contact us so we can review it. Where appropriate, we may correct, update or clarify published material.

Complaints and correction requests can be sent via our contact page or by email to [email protected].

How We Work With Our Community

In the Cove receives requests from businesses, sporting clubs, schools, not-for-profits, artists, community groups, politicians, churches, residents’ associations, government agencies and local residents who want to share information with the Lane Cove community.

We love supporting this community, but to remain independent, fair and sustainable, we need to be clear about what may be considered for free, what requires advertising support and what falls outside our editorial guidelines.

Free coverage is never guaranteed. Publication is always at In the Cove’s editorial discretion, based on local relevance, community interest, available space, available resources and our editorial standards.

If you want guaranteed reach, repeated promotion, a dedicated article, social media promotion, newsletter placement or promotion of an income-generating event, you will generally need an advertising plan.

For current guidance on how different types of organisations can work with In the Cove, please read our community guidelines:

How We Work With Our Community

Advertising and Sponsored Content

In the Cove offers advertising and sponsored content options including business directory listings, Business Supporter Plans, featured articles, social media promotion, newsletter sponsorship, local guide inclusions, campaign packages, video and other commercial opportunities.

All advertising enquiries are reviewed by In the Cove. We only work with businesses, organisations and campaigns that are a suitable fit for our local audience, editorial standards and community guidelines.

Acceptance of advertising is at In the Cove’s discretion. We may decline advertising if we believe it is not suitable for our audience, creates a conflict with our editorial responsibilities, does not align with our community standards or is not appropriate for our platforms.

Advertising availability, pricing, inclusions and packages may change from time to time.

We do not provide our full rate card publicly to every visitor. Businesses may request our rate card so we can assess suitability and recommend the most appropriate advertising options.

Advertising From Developers and Planning-Related Businesses

In the Cove generally does not accept advertising from property developers or development-related campaigns where we believe the advertising may create a conflict with our independent local reporting, community trust or editorial responsibilities.

However, In the Cove may consider advertising from developers, builders, property-related businesses or planning-related campaigns on a case-by-case basis.

Acceptance of advertising is entirely at In the Cove’s discretion. We may decline advertising if we believe it is not a suitable fit for our audience, our editorial position, our community standards or our role as an independent local news source.

Paid advertising from any developer, property business or planning-related organisation does not guarantee editorial coverage, favourable coverage or influence over In the Cove’s reporting, commentary or editorial decisions.

Political Advertising and Political Content

In the Cove does not accept political advertising.

We may publish factual information involving elected representatives, candidates, government agencies, councils or political matters where we consider the information to be genuinely relevant to the Lane Cove community.

We do not provide free promotion, campaign material or profile-building opportunities for political candidates, parties or campaign groups.

Any political, government or civic-related content is considered at In the Cove’s editorial discretion.

Business Directory Listings

In the Cove may publish business directory listings for local businesses and relevant service providers.

By submitting business directory information, you confirm that:

• You are the business owner, a director or authorised to act on behalf of the business.
• The information you provide is accurate, current and not misleading.
• You have the right to provide all text, images, logos, trademarks and other material submitted.
• You accept responsibility for the information submitted.
• You will notify In the Cove if your business details change.

In the Cove may edit, decline, suspend or remove a business listing at its discretion.

A business may request removal of its listing. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, fees already paid are not refundable on a pro rata basis.

Event Listings, Classifieds, Job Listings and Community Notices

In the Cove may allow users, businesses, community groups or organisations to submit event listings, job listings, notices, classifieds and other community information.

By submitting a listing or notice, you confirm that the information is true, accurate and not misleading to the best of your knowledge.

We may edit, decline, remove or choose not to publish any listing or notice at our discretion.

Submission of an event, job listing, classified or notice does not guarantee publication.

Community Facebook Groups

In the Cove manages community Facebook groups including Lane Cove Chat by ITC and Kids in the Cove.

These groups are intended to help local residents share useful information, ask local questions, discuss community issues and stay connected.

They are not free advertising platforms, political campaign forums, classifieds boards or promotional channels for businesses, networking operators or self-interested groups.

All members, businesses, community organisations and advertisers must follow our current community group guidelines, which may be updated from time to time.

Read the In the Cove Community Chat Group Guidelines

In the Cove may decline, remove, edit, close comments on or moderate posts and comments at its discretion. Members may be removed from our groups if they repeatedly ignore the rules, create legal or moderation risks, promote themselves outside approved opportunities or use the groups in a way that is inconsistent with their purpose.

Comments, Contributions and User Content

In the Cove may allow users to submit comments, reviews, recommendations, photos, videos, tips, event information, business information, story ideas, corrections or other material.

Any material submitted to us is referred to as “Your Content”.

By submitting Your Content to In the Cove, you confirm that:

• You have the right to submit it.
• It is accurate and not misleading to the best of your knowledge.
• It does not infringe any third party’s intellectual property rights.
• It does not unlawfully disclose private, confidential or sensitive information.
• It is not defamatory, abusive, discriminatory, threatening, harassing or unlawful.
• It does not contain material that would expose In the Cove to legal risk.

You are responsible for the content you submit.

In the Cove may edit, decline, remove, moderate, republish or use submitted content at our discretion.

Licence to Use Submitted Content

By submitting content to In the Cove, you grant us a royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive, worldwide licence to use, reproduce, edit, adapt, publish, distribute, display and promote that content across our website, newsletter, social media platforms and other publications.

This may include using submitted text, photos, videos, quotes, event details, business information or other material in editorial content, sponsored content, guides, newsletters, social media posts, event listings or promotional material.

If you do not want us to use material you have submitted, please do not submit it.

Images, Videos and Intellectual Property

You must only submit images, videos, logos, graphics, written material or other content that you own or have permission to use.

You must not submit copyrighted material, professional photography, images taken from another website, screenshots, artwork, music, video or other creative work unless you have the right to provide it to us for publication.

In the Cove may request evidence that you have permission to use material submitted to us.

Use of In the Cove Content

Unless otherwise stated, all material published by In the Cove is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

You may share links to our content for personal, community or non-commercial purposes.

You must not copy, reproduce, republish, scrape, data mine, commercially exploit, adapt or distribute In the Cove content without permission.

You must not use In the Cove’s website, business directory or published data to build a competing directory, contact list, advertising product, marketing database or other commercial product.

If you would like permission to reproduce our content, please contact us.

Automated Access, Scraping and Data Mining

You must not use bots, scrapers, crawlers, automated tools or other processes to access, extract, copy, monitor or collect content, business information, listings, data or other material from the In the Cove website without our written permission.

We may take steps to prevent, monitor or block automated access to our website and content.

External Links

In the Cove may include links to third party websites, booking platforms, social media pages, government websites, advertiser websites, event pages, forms and other external resources.

External links are provided for convenience and information only.

We do not control and are not responsible for the content, accuracy, privacy practices, security, availability or conduct of third party websites or platforms.

You access external links at your own risk.

Newsletter Subscriptions

Users may subscribe to the In the Cove newsletter.

You may unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time by using the unsubscribe link in the newsletter or by contacting us.

We may use newsletter systems and third party platforms to manage subscriptions, send newsletters and measure engagement.

Privacy

In the Cove may collect personal information through our website, contact forms, advertising enquiries, event submissions, business listings, newsletter subscriptions, competitions, surveys and other interactions.

We handle personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Read our Privacy Policy

Competitions and Giveaways

From time to time, In the Cove may run competitions, giveaways or promotions.

Competition terms may be provided separately for each competition. If separate terms are provided, those terms apply in addition to these Terms and Conditions.

In the Cove may verify eligibility, select winners, redraw prizes, amend competition details or cancel a competition where necessary.

Disputes Between Users, Businesses and Third Parties

In the Cove is not a party to transactions, bookings, purchases, agreements, services, events or communications between users, businesses, advertisers, community groups or third parties.

If a dispute arises between you and a business, advertiser, event organiser, community organisation or other user, you should contact the relevant party directly and seek independent advice where appropriate.

In the Cove is not responsible for resolving private disputes between users and third parties.

No Professional Advice

Content published by In the Cove is provided for general information only.

It is not legal, financial, medical, planning, safety, tax or other professional advice.

You should seek appropriate professional advice before relying on information for any important decision.

Website Availability and Security

We aim to keep the In the Cove website available and functioning, but we do not guarantee that access will be uninterrupted, error-free or secure.

We may update, suspend, restrict or change access to the website or any part of it at any time.

You are responsible for ensuring your own devices, systems and internet connection are secure.

Passwords and User Accounts

If you create an account or login for any In the Cove service, you are responsible for keeping your username and password secure.

You must not allow others to use your account.

We may suspend or terminate access to accounts at our discretion.

Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, In the Cove, Consult & Comply Pty Ltd, our directors, employees, contractors and contributors are not liable for any loss, damage, cost, claim or expense arising from your use of our website, platforms, content, listings, advertising, third party links or user-submitted material.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes any rights or remedies that cannot be excluded under Australian law.

Indemnity

You agree to indemnify In the Cove and Consult & Comply Pty Ltd against any loss, damage, claim, cost, liability or expense arising from:

• Your use of our website or platforms.
• Your breach of these Terms and Conditions.
• Your submission of content that is unlawful, defamatory, misleading, infringing or otherwise inappropriate.
• Your infringement of any third party rights.
• Your conduct in relation to another user, business, advertiser or third party.

Changes to These Terms

In the Cove may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time.

Updated terms will be published on this page. Your continued use of our website or platforms after changes are published indicates your acceptance of the updated terms.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia.

You agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales.

Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms and Conditions, would like to request a correction or need to contact In the Cove, please use our contact page or email us at [email protected].

Important summary: Submission of information does not guarantee publication. Paid advertising does not guarantee editorial coverage. In the Cove reserves the right to edit, decline, moderate or remove content at its discretion.