Looking for a sign to finally say hi to your neighbours? Here it is!
If you're keen to build a verge garden and a friendship, we'll help fund it. Applications are now open for our biannual Connecting Neighbours grants offering up to $1,000 to foster local connections across our city.
For this round, we're encouraging people to come together to create and care for a native verge garden. It is an opportunity to build something special with your community as well as beautifying our city.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said getting to know your neighbours is an important cornerstone of our city, but for some, they may find it hard to kickstart these relationships.
"Our Connecting Neighbours grants is a perfect excuse to get out there and meet the people in your neighbourhood," she said.
"Being able to socialise with people in your local area creates a safer environment for belonging and connection. We want our communities to be comfortable in catching up with one another, so these grants are set to help alleviate some of the related financial challenges."
The grants are available to people who live or are based in the Wollongong Local Government Area. There are two funding categories you can apply for:
- Up to $250 – for individuals and at least two friends or neighbours.
- Between $250 to $1000 – for local organisations supporting a project.
"There's lots of benefits that can come with being in good company and transforming patches of grass into beautiful verge gardens," Cr Brown said.
"Gardening is not a one-time event. Like making friends, you can't start it and then walk away hoping it'll thrive. It'll take time, attention and some watering, but it'll be worth it.
"So, let's get involved Wollongong! It'll be a fun and personal project you can nurture with your neighbours and will also help green your street. Enjoy the conversations over planting and grow your community."
A verge garden is an initiative of our Urban Greening Strategy. They are planted in the Council strip (verge) between private properties and the road, replacing the grass with native plants.
If you have another project in mind, you can still apply for a grant. In previous rounds, funds have helped host BBQs, picnics, working bees, walking school buses, community days and more.
Applications are open until 5pm, Monday 15 September 2025.
