Being Neighbourly
Neighbours Every Day
Neighbours Every Day, Australia’s annual celebration of community, is celebrated on the last Sunday in March. This year it is happening on Sunday 30 March 2025.
Relationships Australia have been leading this great initiative for over 20 years.
It is your chance to connect with your community in a way that’s meaningful to you. Every day offers the opportunity to Create, Share and Grow Belonging in your neighbourhood.
Whether it’s starting a conversation or offering a helping hand, every small act makes a big difference.
What simple acts of kindness can you share with your neighbours today and every day? Consider hosting a BBQ, organising a game at your local park or simply having a chat to your neighbours.
Resources
- 56 Great Ideas for Connecting with your Neighbours (PDF)
- 21 Connection Tips to Create, Share & Grow Belonging (PDF)
- Community Language Resources (ZIP):
English | Italian | Greek | Arabic | Chinese | Korean | Vietnamese
How to be a Good Neighbour
Learn the art of building great relationships with those living near you. It only takes a few simple steps to ensure that we are considerate towards our neighbours. In turn, you may be surprised by your neighbours’ appreciation for your kindness!
A great neighbourhood is one that is caring, cohesive, safe, and welcoming. It is also where neighbours are proud of their street and take ownership of the neighbourhood they live in.
Having good neighbours can make a big difference to our lives, and goes a long way to creating a happy, healthy and peaceful environment for all. If we all play our part, we can build lasting friendships and strong communities in our neighbourhoods.
Let’s be neighbourly Townsville, as a stronger, safer community starts in our own backyard!
Here are some hints on how to be a good neighbour:
Get to Know your Neighbours
Some tips to help you get to know your neighbours:
- Introduce yourself to your neighbours
- Invite your neighbour to a barbecue or morning tea
- Make an effort to familiarise yourself with your neighbour's lifestyle, such as their hours of work or whether they are out of town a lot for work.
Make a Difference in Your Community
You can make a positive difference in your community:
- Be kind – think of others, consider your actions, show compassion
- Reach out – call your neighbours and loved ones
- Show support – especially to the elderly, vulnerable and isolated
- Share information – make sure it’s from credible sources
Check In on Your Neighbours
Want to check in on your neighbour and don’t know how?
Townsville City Council has created a postcard that you can fill out and place in your neighbours letterbox. You might be thinking about how you can help your immediate next door neighbour, an elderly resident that lives across the road or the single parent family that lives on the corner – this is how you can reach out.
Download your free postcard below (you could even print a few out for your workplace):
- Pink G'Day Neighbour Postcard (PDF, 54.2 KB)
- Yellow G'Day Neighbour Postcard (PDF, 53.0 KB)
Help your Neighbours
Some tips on how to help your neighbours:
- try to assist your neighbour/s, especially the elderly, with anything they might struggle with, such as bringing in their bin on rubbish day, or collecting their newspaper for them
- help your neighbours out with dog walking or collect their mail when they go away
- keep an eye on your neighbour's property when they are out of town.
Be Considerate of your Neighbours
Some tips on how you can be considerate of your neighbours:
- consider your neighbours when you play loud music, operate power tools or complete renovations on your property
- be responsible for visitors to your property
- ensure you adhere to local noise and environmental pollution laws.
Be a Responsible Pet Owner
Some tips on how to be a responsible pet owner:
- consider others when leaving your pet at home for long periods of time
- ensure your pets are securely locked in your yard when you are not at home
- register your pets with Council.
For more information visit Be a Responsible Pet Owner page.
Maintain your Home
Some tips on how to be neighbourly in your home maintenance:
- keep your garden tidy and ensure trees on the fence line are kept trimmed away from neighbouring properties
- if you have a pool, keep it clean and ensure fencing meets government guidelines.
Participate in your Community
Some tips on how you can participate in your community:
- host a Neighbours Party in your street as a way of getting to know your neighbours
- get together with your neighbours and prepare your street for the disaster season
- hold a combined garage sale to get rid of excess clutter in your street - why not sign up for the Garage Sale Trail?
Managing Neighbour Disputes
The Dispute Resolution Branch was established by the Queensland Government to provide a free, confidential and impartial mediation service to the community.
The Dispute Resolution Centre provides an alternative way of settling disputes before they get to court. This means savings in time, legal fees and court costs, not just for the individuals involved, but for the whole community.
The Dispute Resolution Centre provides free mediation services available to everyone in the community, to assist in a range of disputes, including conflict between neighbours involving issues such as trees, noise, boundaries and children.
Contact the North Queensland Dispute Resolution Centre:
- Phone: (07) 4417 8141
- Fax: (07) 4417 8137
- Regional area toll free phone: 1800 809 605
- Email: drc.nq@justice.qld.gov.au
