Central Coast Council is calling on women, girls and gender-diverse people to raise their voices to improve the perception of safety within Gosford CBD. A survey and an interactive map have been specifically designed to capture their thoughts as part of the Safer Cities: Her Way Program, a collaborative partnership program with Transport for NSW.

Under the program, $1 million in funding has been provided to develop and pilot safety-boosting initiatives for women, girls and gender-diverse people and improve perceptions of safety on our streets, in parklands and at public transport hubs around Gosford.

Council’s Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith, said it’s an important component of this project that the community share their experiences, good or bad when they have travelled to or visited the Gosford CBD.

“The survey and interactive map are just two ways we are engaging women, girls and gender-diverse community members to have their voice and experiences heard,” Ms Smith said.

“By understanding areas where they have felt safe or unsafe, we will use a co-design approach to trial solutions to address their concerns. A safer place for women, girls and gender-diverse people is a safer place for the whole community”.

The learnings from the survey and interactive map will be reviewed by focus groups to design pilot safety initiatives, which will not only trial ways to make Gosford feel safer through this program, but it will also influence future planning and street designs in other locations across the Central Coast.

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

“We know women, girls and gender-diverse community members actively use public transport and move through public spaces to access essential services and opportunities as part of their everyday lives. Yet, it’s these cohorts who face more gender-based harassment and safety issues when in public spaces than men do. Ultimately, everyone has a right to feel safe, and this program helps us get one step closer to achieving this.”

“As Gosford CBD and the waterfront precinct expands, it’s imperative now more than ever that women, girls and gender-diverse community members are able to feel safe travelling through Gosford to access future higher order jobs and study opportunities. In doing so we are building Gosford's capacity as a stronger city.”

Visit yourvoiceourcoast.com/HerWay to take the survey and comment on the interactive map.

ENDS