Central Coast Council’s Good Times Summer kicks off in Gosford on Saturday 16 December with a jam-packed schedule of community events, as part of the NSW Government’s $30M Safer Cities program.

The program is a positive initiative driven by the voices of the Central Coast's women, girls and gender diverse communities.

This is an important first step in delivering pilot initiatives to improve safety for women, girls and gender diverse people in streets and transport hubs across Gosford in a collaborative partnership with Transport for NSW.

According to the Safer Cities survey earlier this year, 50% of participants shared that they felt unsafe in Gosford CBD and 61% had a negative perception of the city.

Following these findings, laneway lighting, public art, and community events and activations were recommended as key actions to help enhance feelings of safety.

Another exciting initiative to help improve safety and convenience is the free evening shuttle bus service which will travel in a loop around the Gosford CBD from Thursday to Saturday during the six-week Good Times Summer program.

Visitors are encouraged to use public transport to get to Gosford, and then utilise the free shuttle bus to move around the different activities during the Good Times Summer period.

This will also compliment the return of the weekly night markets in Gosford.

Good Times Summer runs from Saturday 16 December 2023 until Saturday 27 January 2024.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in public spaces, including on our transport network, and we know events like this can help achieve that goal.

“Transport for NSW’s state-wide Safer Cities Survey found women were twice as likely to not feel safe in public spaces in NSW at night compared to men. In addition, 68% of women in regional areas felt unsafe at night in public spaces compared to 57% of women in metro areas.

“It’s fantastic to see Transport’s Safer Cities program fund trial initiatives to positively enhance public spaces, which link to key transport hubs, like in the Gosford CBD.”

Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said:

“The response from the community to the Safer Cities survey was amazing and bought home the real concerns about safety in the Gosford CBD, largely felt by women, girls and gender diverse people.

“In particular, there were three main areas in Gosford the community felt needed attention – Burns Place Park, Kibble Park and the broader Gosford CBD.

“The feeling of being unsafe came from a lack of lighting, the actual aesthetics of the surroundings and the general lack of activation – particularly in the night-time – so it is wonderful that we are able to roll out the Good Times Summer program to address these issues.”

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said:

“The Gosford community’s feedback to the Safer Cities survey has been invaluable, and with the funding from Transport for NSW, it’s wonderful to see impactful change being delivered through initiatives like the Good Times Summer program, the return of the night markets, and the free shuttle bus.

“I hope residents and visitors are able to get out and enjoy the safe, and welcoming atmosphere these activities will bring to our local public spaces and transport precincts over the summer.”

Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart said:

“Council’s involvement in Transport for NSW’s Safer Cities: Her Way program is delivering positive changes for both Gosford and the wider community.

“Gosford is experiencing enormous growth and development, with the waterfront area to be transformed over the next decade, and so it is essential that we understand what the community is feeling about the city – and how we can plan early to ensure that it is welcoming and safe for all.”

For more information about the Safer Cities: Her Way program and the Good Times Summer program, visit lovecentralcoast.com/goodtimes

ENDS