Trial project aims to identify safety black spots for women, girls and gender diverse

A TRIAL project has been launched to improve perceptions of safety for women, girls and gender diverse people who travel to, through and within public spaces in Wollongong.

Wollongong City Council and Transport for NSW are calling for community feedback on a public safety project called Safer Cities: Her Way.

The project that will test community-driven solutions for making public spaces feel safer.  Wollongong is one of 10 councils participating in the Safer Cities: Her Way pilot program, including City of Sydney.

Through this project the NSW Government will invest $1 million in funding on trial interventions which will improve safety for women, girls, and gender diverse people in three locations within the City of Wollongong.

You can get involved in this project by:

• Registering your interest to participate in a co-designing walk and workshop. Participants will join Council Staff and NSW Police on walks to explore the identified public spaces and note the things that make them feel safe and/or unsafe. Register your attendance online via the Our Wollongong website.
• Drop a digital pin on Council’s interactive map to provide feedback on where and why a particular area makes you feel safe or unsafe. Your information will help Council decide where to focus trial interventions.
• Ask a question by using the online Q&A tool
• You can also email Council or call Council’s Customer Service team for more information on (02) 4227 7111.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said no person should live in fear of leaving their home or limiting their opportunities for recreation or entertainment because of perceived or real threats to their safety or well-being.

“Please assist us in making our public spaces safer for everyone with your thoughts and feedback. We need to hear you – especially from those who feel more vulnerable,” he said.

“We first made a commitment to improving community safety in the 1990s. Over the years we’ve worked closely with the NSW Government, Transport for NSW, NSW Police, local businesses, and community groups to develop initiatives to improve community safety.

“The Safer Cities: Her Way project, is Council’s next endeavour. It will build on the work we have already been doing through our Community Safety Plan 2021-2025 to improve safety and perceptions of safety in our community,” Cr Bradbery said.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe when travelling around and through their city. Wollongong is no exception. Increasing women, girls, and gender diverse people’s safety is a priority for Council as we want to ensure that everyone feels able and safe to enjoy every aspect of their community.”

Find out more and register your interest in project by visiting the Our Wollongong website.

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