Everyone loves good neighbours. How well do you know your neighbours? Last year, the Lane Cove Council encouraged neighbours to get together for street and/or apartment block parties by providing $300 to fund a function. It was such a success that the budget allocated for the initiative was exhausted within a few days.
The Australia Talks National Survey 2021 found 62 per cent of Australians know many of their neighbours by name.
According to an Australian National University (ANU) research project neighbourhood relationships and social connections protected against loneliness, depression, and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The findings come from a nationally representative longitudinal survey of more than 3,000 people, conducted over three waves between May and November 2020.
“People generally are much less likely to report symptoms of depression, anxiety and loneliness if they have positive perceptions of their neighbourhood social environments,” lead author Dr James O’Donnell said.
“Neighbourhood cohesiveness is a really important social glue; it keeps us connected and supports our wellbeing in everyday life and during a crisis. Everybody needs good neighbours. It is good for your health.”
This ANU research backs up other research studies that show the benefit of knowing your neighbours.
Meet Your Neighbours 2024
This initiative is being delivered to support the Relationships Australia, Neighbours Every Day campaign, which promotes social connection and encourages people to build positive relationships with their neighbours.
Lane Cove Council has developed a Meet Your Neighbours Toolkit.
As part of the launch, Lane Cove Council will subside strata and residents up to $200 to host their own “meet your neighbours” event.
Examples of the types of events you can hold:
- Morning or afternoon tea
- Picnic at a local park
- BBQ lunch
- Pizza party
- Multicultural lunch, share with everyone where you are from and add your favourite dishes to the table.
Eligibility & Selection Criteria
Funding from the Council for reimbursement of a ‘Meet Your Neighbours’ event is at the discretion of the Council.
Limited funds are available. Council will consider all applications but priority will be given to those who have not yet hosted an event, however, all applications are welcome.
The event must be held between Monday, 4 March 2024 – Sunday, 5 May 2024.
It must be accessible to all neighbours within an apartment building or a defined area of the street.
If held in an apartment building, it must have approval from the strata body, and if held in a common or shared space of a building, it must follow the normal building procedures of bookings and security etc.
Items that will not be funded:
- Alcohol.
- Salaries or event coordination costs.
- Permanent supplies e.g. games, sporting goods, or infrastructure. (but you could hire them from The Sydney Library of Things)
- Activities which do not comply with local laws.
- Costs associated with usual strata management activities.
How Do You Hold a Street Party?
The Lane Cove Council has developed a Street Party Kit which you can download here. You can even apply to close off your street.
Suggestions on where to hold a Meet Your Neighbours event:
- An open space such as a front lawn or yard
- A nearby park
- A common or shared space of an apartment building
How Do You Host a Neighbourhood Scavenger Hunt?
Get the whole street and family involved in a scavenger hunt ending up at a secret location in your street (where you can have drinks and nibbles waiting). You can find ideas here.
Hold a Street Breakfast Party
Grab some trestle tables and a BBQ and get a couple of people to bring along their coffee machines, and you have a street breakfast!!
Any neighbour can pop over – even the furry ones.
Apply Now
What are you waiting for – apply here now.
A great example of a street party was the wedding of Norma and Wally in Avalon Avenue – read more here (it’s a lovely story).
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