How do we turn neighbours into a community?

Southbank has undergone an extraordinary transformation over the past two decades. What was once largely a commercial precinct has become one of Australia’s most densely populated residential communities. Every day, thousands of people call Southbank home—but increasingly, many of them are only here for a short time.

Students arrive for a semester or two before moving on. Professionals relocate for work contracts. Renters change apartments every year or two. Visitors come to enjoy everything Melbourne has to offer before returning home. Even many owner-occupiers divide their time between multiple residences.

There is nothing wrong with this. In fact, it is one of Southbank’s greatest strengths. Our suburb is vibrant, diverse and welcoming, bringing together people from across Australia and around the world.

However, it does raise an important question.

How do we build a genuine sense of community when so many of our neighbours may only be here for a relatively short period?

Strong communities are built on more than impressive buildings. They are built through relationships. They grow when neighbours know one another, when residents feel comfortable saying hello in the lift, when people support local businesses, attend community events and take an interest in the place they call home.

For those of us who have lived in Southbank for many years, it can sometimes feel as though familiar faces disappear almost as quickly as they arrive. Every move-out represents someone else’s fresh start, but it also means our community is constantly rebuilding itself.

The good news is that Southbank already has one of the most valuable ingredients needed to bring people together—the Boyd Community Hub.

Home to the Southbank Library, community meeting spaces, workshops, exhibitions, children’s activities and a wide range of community programs, Boyd is far more than just another public building. It is a place where neighbours can become acquaintances, acquaintances can become friends, and a collection of apartment buildings can begin to feel like a genuine neighbourhood.

Whether you’re borrowing a book, attending a community event, participating in a workshop, or simply enjoying the welcoming atmosphere, Boyd provides countless opportunities for residents to connect. Yet I suspect many people living in Southbank have never stepped inside, or are simply unaware of the breadth of services and activities available.

Perhaps we should be making much more of this incredible community asset.

Imagine if every new resident moving into Southbank received information about the Boyd Community Hub as part of their building’s welcome pack. Imagine quarterly “Welcome to Southbank” events where new residents could meet their neighbours, discover local services and community groups, and learn more about the suburb they now call home. Imagine stronger partnerships between Boyd, local businesses and the Southbank Residents Association to create more opportunities for residents from different apartment buildings to meet.

These are relatively simple initiatives, but they could have a lasting impact.

Community doesn’t happen by accident. It doesn’t come from another apartment tower or another planning permit. It grows one conversation, one introduction and one shared experience at a time.

Southbank has become one of Melbourne’s great residential success stories. The next challenge isn’t simply accommodating more residents; it’s ensuring that everyone who chooses to live here—whether for ten years or ten months—feels that they truly belong.

We often measure a suburb by its skyline, but perhaps we should measure it by something else—how connected its people feel. Southbank already has the foundations of a wonderful community. By making greater use of places like the Boyd Community Hub and creating more opportunities for neighbours to meet, we can ensure our suburb is known not only for its remarkable buildings, but for the strength of the community that lives within them.

Next month Southbank Residents Association will be launching our highly-anticipated SRA+ community app, which will go a long way with assisting our neighbourhood to achieve this sense of community. We will be linking our local businesses and community and meetup groups with the wider community in a one-stop app - watch this space!

If you have any ideas for creating our community we would love to hear from you – [email protected] •