Neighbourhood Groups

The Neighbourhood Group Network is a Kangaroo Valley community initiative, supported by Resilient KV, to facilitate neighbours to work together to prepare for and to support each other before, during and after bushfires and other disasters we may face.

This initiative began in the Upper River area in 2018, supporting neighbours to help each other prepare for possible bushfire threat, and now there are over 35 ‘Neighbourhood Groups’, each of approximately 10 -15 households, covering large parts of the Valley.

Currently active Neighbourhood Groups cover more than an estimated two thirds of all Kangaroo Valley dwellings.

Groups have typically set up a WhatsApp or email communication group, which is managed by their local Neighbourhood Group Coordinator, allowing households in the group to communicate with each other and for groups to receive important information from outside agencies and authorities.

In times of crisis, such as that experienced during and after the devastating Currowan Bushfire of 2019/2020, the individual Neighbourhood Groups and the overall network of groups have shown just how important this network is in providing support to residents and being a crucial channel of information between residents and important agencies and other organisations.

Some groups hold social events, BBQs, etc. to maintain strong and resilient social connections but also to hear from important local disaster resilience authorities, particularly volunteers from our own Kangaroo Valley Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade (KVVRFB).

Many residents of the Valley have reported that being part of a neighbourhood group was extremely helpful before, during and after the Currowan fire crisis of 2019/2020 and that, as part of a Neighbourhood Group, they have felt more connected to their neighbours, more supported and better prepared for bushfire and some other emergencies they have since experienced.

Resilient KV has developed a few simple guides that can assist groups to get started by sharing suggestions about what other groups have done.

If you would like further information generally, or to know if there is already a Neighbourhood Group established in your road/locality, or to know how you could set about setting one up in an area that is not presently covered, then please email us at resilientkangaroovalley@gmail.com or contact one of our  Neighbourhood Group Network facilitators by phone:

Cathy Gorman (0438 651 540) or
Rosie Johnson (0438 151 105)