Neighbourhoods Connected is a Central Coast Council initiative designed to support cohesive community connections.
Having good neighbours and a strong community can be more important than you realise.
If you’re engaged with your neighbours, your street can be a better place to live in, your community can thrive and together you can face collective challenges, support each other in times of happiness or crisis, and combat the feeling of isolation and loneliness - street by street.
Why is building connections with my neighbours important?
While we often rely on our neighbours to help us remember which bin to take out this week, they can also be a strong support system that plays a vital role in building relationships and also helping with disaster preparedness, recovery and resilience.
Building and maintaining neighbourly relationships can:
- Enhance well-being (strong social ties provide a safety net during challenging times)
- Improve health (connection can reduce stress and promote mental resilience)
- Increase community resilience (communities can be better prepared and share resources)
- Broaden cultural inclusion and diversity (celebrate different perspectives)
- Bring communities together (a united community can advocate for each other)
What is loneliness?
Loneliness is “a distressing feeling we get when we feel disconnected from other people, and desire more (or more satisfying) social relationships."
According to the Ending Loneliness Together Report 2023, 1 in 3 Australians feel lonely, one in six people report feeling severely lonely, with people aged 18-24 and 45-54 feeling most disconnected.
Council’s 2024 Wellbeing Survey reported that 64% of Central Coast residents either felt somewhat connected (49%) or very connected (15%) with their local area. We want to improve these statistics and events like Neighbour Day creates an opportunity to get to know the people around you and to build inclusive, welcoming neighbourhoods.
What is Neighbour Day?
Neighbour Day on Sunday 30 March 2025 aims to promote well-being, improve resilience and address loneliness in our community.
Neighbour Day, a Relationships Australia initiative, has been an annual event since 2003 and to coincide with this year's theme of 'Create, Share, Grow Belonging,' we have created a Neighbourhoods Connected guide with tips and advice for planning your own neighbourly get-together.
We are encouraging all Coasties to reach out to their neighbours on Neighbour Day, whether it be a simple cuppa in the front yard, a friendly games afternoon in the park, or a whole street gathering. A connected community is a resilient one and the first step to building resilience is to get to know the people who live around you.
"We've never been more digitally connected, yet one-third of Australians still feel lonely."
Check out our 6 ideas to build positive relationships with your neighbours below –
The benefit of connected neighbourhoods
Connected neighbourhoods pave the way for enhanced individual, family and community well-being, offering many benefits:
- Enhanced quality of life: enjoy healthier, happier neighbourhoods
- Strong sense of belonging: feel safe, engaged and deeply connected
- Reduced loneliness: combat loneliness across all ages and demographics
- Greater community resilience: access localised support during emergencies
“When you feel like you can go to your neighbours for help. Feeling that your neighbourhood is safe and that you can rely on others - that's the benefit of a connected neighbourhood" - Emma
Move-in day is just the beginning
A house becomes a home when it is part of a connected community! As you unpack and settle into your new home, don't forget to introduce yourself to your neighbours and set the foundation for lasting friendships that will make living in your street even more special.
Grab a Hello Neighbour card from our libraries or customer service points to kickstart those introductions and embrace the welcoming spirit of your community.
📄 Download the Hello Neighbour card ⤓
Neighbourhood gathering
Neighbourhood gatherings are a fantastic opportunity to connect with those around you and to build inclusive, welcoming communities. By getting to know your neighbours you enhance the sense of belonging in your street, foster friendships and create a vibrant atmosphere where everyone feels valued and appreciated.
There are many options for a street gathering. Use our guides and resources to plan an event that suits your street. Start by saying "hello" and see where it takes you!
Neighbours Every Day
We are proud to be a Relationships Australia - Very Neighbourly Organisation, dedicated to upholding and promoting the inspiring principles of Neighbours Every Day!
Ready to make a difference?
We offer a variety of resources and tools to help you plan and promote your Day of Action events. Check out the Neighbours Every Day website and let’s come together to create a more connected and caring community.