Central Coast Council is to participate in the NSW Government’s $30 million Safer Cities program, aimed at improving the safety of women, girls and gender diverse people in public spaces around transport precincts.

Council will receive $1 million to develop and pilot safety boosting initiatives so that women and girls experience improved perception of safety on our streets, in parklands and at public transport hubs, in partnership with Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

Dr. Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Executive Director Cities Revitalisation and Place, Transport for NSW has said the Safer Cities: Her Way program is an incredible opportunity to partner with ten councils across NSW and deliver improvements that address local experiences and needs. 

“We’re excited to be working closely with Central Coast Council to listen to the voices of local women, girls and gender diverse people, and trial initiatives that help them feel they can move freely and comfortably through their local public spaces,” she said.

Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith, said Council didn’t hesitate to participate when invited by TfNSW.

“Women and girls across the Central Coast actively use and depend on public transport, public spaces and the streets and paths that connect them, to access essential services and opportunities as part of their everyday lives. Yet, women and girls face more gender-based harassment and safety issues when using public spaces than men do.

“This program will run over the next 18 months to trial place-based approaches to improve women’s perception of safety travelling to, through and within public spaces and transport hubs. 

“Gosford is being investigated as a potential trial location, as many women and girls use, and depend on, public transport and hence the transport hubs, to travel to and from Gosford hospital in particular, as well as for other work or education reasons in Gosford.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the initiative is crucial to ensure women and girls feel they are not constrained in how they move about Gosford in their day-to-day lives.

“We want women and girls to feel safe as they move around the city, using public transport, public spaces or walking along streets and paths that connect transport hubs to work and social areas,” Mr Hart said.

“As Gosford CBD and the waterfront precinct expands, ultimately offering higher order jobs in health and education while expanding study opportunities, programs like this one can help set us up for the future.”

Other trial locations are being investigated and will be informed by community engagement early 2023. The project will run for 18 months and will be completed by June 2024.

People across NSW are being asked to share their experiences in public spaces via a survey.

Visit https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/safer-cities until 8 February 2023 to take the survey.

ENDS