It takes time to create a sense of belonging and connection. Many of us nowadays think time is a scarce commodity. We may complain that we hardly have time to spend time with family, so why would we bother building bridges with neighbours… That may be a policy that works in fair weather when all is going smoothly in our street. What about a time when a crime is committed, or a public nuisance? A flood, a burst water main or fallen power-line? Not to mention a fire- who has a ladder or a hose? There are many good reasons to take the time to know your neighbours, at well least enough to know who is in their household, and if they go away for a significant period. We may value our privacy because we are so busy, but others in our street may value an occasional kind word because they may be isolated or unwell. Whilst we cannot legislate for kindness, we will all benefit from it when the need for community solidarity arises. The Chair of the Social Inclusion Board noted in his Introduction to the ACT Government Report on Open Forums 2005 that: ‘Canberra has been through a period of social, cultural and economic transformation…there has been a significant growth in the number of households of one or two person(s)….In the past, many cohesive neighbourhoods were based primarily on larger families, and children provided some of the social ties of a community… There is also evidence that…Canberra in particular has a transient population, with approximately thirty per cent of Canberrans moving house each year.’ The people who have lived in a neighbourhood longer are in a good position to introduce themselves to new arrivals. Never under-estimate the power of a friendly greeting from an insider to an outsider coming in. Establishing a friendly and supportive neighbourhood is not difficult, but it takes good will and a decision to make that effort. Don’t wait till you have a problem before you talk to your neighbour If you let time go by without meeting your neighbour in a friendly natural way, something they do may begin to annoy you. It is after all easier to be annoyed with the neighbours than with your boss, the government, your own children, dog, garden, or heaven forbid yourself! Bad-mouthing the family next door may be a nice easy way to let off steam, but how easy is it in the long run if there are tensions between you and the neighbours? Chickens come home to roost! The lost opportunities when we don’t trust our neighbours The down side of not being able to talk to your neighbours Do you want to live in a stand-off situation where you avoid coming across them near the front gate, or worse, in a virtual war zone where you are nervous about one them or their kids deliberately damaging your plants, letterbox or car? Who will watch my place or water my pot plants? On the lost opportunity list, what about when you want to go away become rumour and social division is less if people are able to chat and find out first hand how their neighbour ticks. If you don’t want to hold or attend a street party, just be friendly when you cross paths, see them working in their garden or collecting the mail. A neighbour may hold the key to something valuable you want to know…ah yes, I can recommend a reasonable plumber. If there is a problem between neighbours that concerns you, contact Conflict Resolution Service on 6295 5998 If a misunderstanding or annoyance has arisen between neighbours, and you don’t feel able to express your concerns face to face, contact Conflict Resolution Service for advice, referral, conflict resolution strategies mediation, or counselling Appreciate your neighbours as a friend in times of need Remember to value your neighbour, as there may very well be a time when you need one another. Not to mention positive feelings are better for your health than negative ones, and social connection is the best medicine. This project aims to educate the community in ways to prevent, manage and resolve conflict in their neighbourhoods. The Conflict Resolution Service is a community organisation funded by ACT Government to provide a free and accessible mediation service to the Canberra region for neighbourhood disputes; parenting couple and family disputes; and community disputes which may include charitable organisations or sporting organisations. Mediations will also be provided on a fee for service sliding scale basis for disputes involving property settlements exceeding $30,000; corporations and workplace disputes. Conflict Resolution Service is now located on Level 3 Griffin Centre Genge St Civic. Call us on 6162 4050 for advice or information on resolving disputes or visit
