While local schools, clubs and community hubs continue to be built across the Casey growth areas, Council’s Strengthening New Communities (SNC) program is helping to bring residents together and build those important social networks.
Council’s SNC team runs free local activities including barbecues, family movie nights and bus tours, and supports events like Neighbour Day and cultural events in the growth areas.
During the past 12 months, the team have held more than 16 community activities, attended by more than 3000 residents and the feedback from those who take part has been overwhelmingly positive.
Balla Balla Ward Councillor Geoff Ablett said local events provided a wonderful opportunity for people to get to know their new neighbours and explore the neighbourhood and local services.
“In emerging communities where housing is built before much of the infrastructure arrives, research shows that forming social connections within those neighbourhoods can be more difficult,” Cr Ablett said.
“Throw into the mix limited public transport, greater distances to employment and relocating away from family and friends, and social isolation can become an issue.
“The SNC team usually holds three events in each area and we find that attendance grows with each one as people get to know each other and word spreads in the community. As those local connections develop, we often see residents go on to run their own community events with support from the SNC team, which is a fantastic outcome.”
