Neighbourhood Houses Unite for Funding

Neighbourhood Houses across the Buloke Shire are warning that the growing gap between operational costs and available funding is placing unprecedented pressure on local neighbourhood houses and learning centres.

Buloke Neighbourhood Houses and Centres in Birchip, Donald, Sea Lake, Charlton and Wycheproof, each a vital hub for learning, connection and support in their communities, are finding it more difficult to maintain the balance between rising costs and meeting the needs of their communities.

With cost pressures continuing to mount, local co-ordinators say the current funding model is no longer keeping pace with the realities of running a modern neighbourhood house.

Local co-ordinators emphasise that the “keep our doors open” campaign is not political. Rather, it is a practical call for whichever party forms government, to recognise the true cost of delivering grassroots community services and to ensure neighbourhood houses remain viable into the future.

“The request simply reflects the uplift in wages, utilities, insurance and program delivery costs that have steadily risen in recent years,” said Simone Christie, board member of Neighbourhood Houses Victoria and lead of the Buloke Cluster.

“The sector is not asking for additional hours, we are seeking a higher funding rate for the hours we are already contracted to provide and the restoration of the original 80/20 funding model.”

Across Buloke, neighbourhood houses are funded to be open for 25 hours per week, except Wycheproof Resource Centre which has a 40 hour contract.

The Neighbourhood House Co-ordination Program (NHCP) was initially structured to allocate 80% of funding towards staff wages, particularly for house managers, and 20% for operational costs like utilities and program expenses.
However, over time, inadequate indexation and rising costs have disrupted this balance. Currently, many Neighbourhood Houses find that the entire NHCP funding barely covers staff wages, leaving little to no resources for essential operational expenses.

Neighbourhood Houses play a quiet but powerful role in small rural towns. They provide spaces where people can build skills, access support services, reduce social isolation and strengthen community ties. From early years programs and youth activities to digital literacy, recreation, volunteer opportunities and emergency relief, their reach extends across all age groups.

Without funding that reflects current operating conditions, co-ordinators and committees fear the long term sustainability of these services could be at risk.

“Our houses are not asking for more,” Charlton president Kaylene Cossar said.

“We are asking for funding that matches the real cost of keeping our doors open, so we can continue supporting the people who rely on us.”

In a co-ordinated show of advocacy, all neighbourhood houses across Buloke, along with many others throughout Victoria, will close their doors on Wednesday, February 18, to travel to Melbourne to meet with government representatives and outline the urgent need for increased funding in the next State Budget.

As Buloke’s houses prepare to take their message directly to decision makers, the hope is that the upcoming budget will recognise the significant contribution neighbourhood houses make, not only as service providers, but as vital connectors in rural communities.

If you would like to show your support for your local neighbourhood house, you can call into the house/centre or visit www.nhvic.org.au/ 2026-campaign to find out more ways to help advocate for essential funds to keep your house doors open.