And with the fire season upon us, it’s never been more important, says Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre community and cultural development officer Josie Vendramini, who has organised the annual Meet Your Street “bushfire resilience initiative” on November 18.

“This event is built on research that one of the best ways to protect your property and life in a bushfire is to know your neighbours and also receive important preparedness information,” she said.

“Given that this is predicted to be a difficult fire season we hope as many people from North Katoomba will attend.” 

Many in the community have already got behind the idea, including Katoomba Fire and Rescue, the Rural Fire Service in Katoomba/Leura, the RSPCA and even a faerie called Lavender Lily, who recently got together for a photo shoot to announce the event. Another local resident, photographer Brigitte Grant, was on hand to capture the moment.

The Meet Your Street Building Bushfire Preparedness Together event will be held at Melrose Park on Saturday November 18 from 2-6pm and everyone is welcome.

The event is catered. There will be stalls, entertainment and kids activities and a free barbie put on by the local Salvation Army  with all dietary needs catered for, Ms Vendramini said. Anyone who is interested can contact the Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre on 4782 1117. The park is on the corner of Mort and Fitzgerald Streets. 

Kylie Van Riel from Katoomba/Leura RFS said it was “a good initiative to build the resilience in the community”

“It’s nice to see such a large number of groups, it shows the depth of services available to the community.”

Ms Van Riel said she had heard of the value of the award winning Heads Up For Fire program running in Blackheath. 

“It’s quite valuable it’s got community members to speak to each other, neighbours are working together in the street.”

This article originally appeared on the Blue Mountains Gazette website.