Community Support Hubs strengthen emergency preparedness across the Hills

Community Support Hubs are managed and run by volunteers who build connections with individuals, community groups, council, and emergency services. By working together, they help identify local risks and promote preparedness amongst the community. 

A Community Support Hub may open to support the community during specific events such as extended power outages or periods of extreme heat, and may also activate after emergencies like storms, bushfires, floods, or major accidents; but only when it is safe to do so.

Importantly, a Community Support Hub is not a Bushfire Safer Place or Last Resort Refuge and will not be open during a bushfire. Residents are reminded to follow their personal bushfire survival plans and refer to the CFS website for further information. 

Across the region, several Community Support Hubs are now active or in development, each shaped by the needs and strengths of their local communities. Here’s a spotlight on two of the newer groups making a difference in their areas:

HIPERS (pictured above) 
In the northern Hills, volunteers from Houghton, Hermitage, Inglewood, and Paracombe have formed HIPERS—short for Houghton, Hermitage, Inglewood and Paracombe Emergency Recovery Support. The group was inspired by the impact of past bushfires and a series of “Redi-communities” workshops delivered by the Australian Red Cross.
HIPERS aims to provide practical support for up to 72 hours following an emergency, bridging the gap between the end of immediate danger and the arrival of formal recovery services. Assistance may include food, water, shelter, first aid, and emotional support.
In a major step forward, HIPERS has secured funding to develop an emergency trailer, which will be stocked with essential supplies to improve the group’s ability to respond quickly and effectively when activated.
If you wish further information about HIPERS and their activities, please email to hihmpark.HIPERS@gmail.com

BACSH
Further south, the Bridgewater & Aldgate Community Support Hub is based at the Village Well in Aldgate, with strong support from The Hut Community Centre. The Hub is designed to assist residents during extended power outages and in the early stages of recovery after bushfires.
The Hub provides a safe space for accessing emergency updates, refreshments, satellite Wi-Fi, refrigeration for medicines, and social connection. Volunteers also help link residents with government services and recovery resources.
Both HIPERS and the BACSH are examples of grassroots leadership and community resilience. Through collaboration, training, and local knowledge, these volunteer-led initiatives are helping to build a more connected and resilient Adelaide Hills.
For further information about BACSH feel free to email BACSH@thehut.org.au or visit their website