Dubbo Regional Council has received $150,000 in funding under the Safer Cities: Her Way 2 grant program to deliver the Dubbo Safer Routes project.
The Her Way 2 grant is part of the $50M Safer Cities program by Transport for NSW that aims to improve safety for everyone, particularly women, girls and gender-diverse people as they move to, through and within public spaces and transport hub precincts.
The Dubbo Safer Routes program will focus on Macquarie Street and work with community to implement changes that aim to make people feel safer and more welcoming at any time of the day.
As part of the process, community will be invited to participate in facilitated ‘walkshops’ along the CBD route, identifying in real time where and why they feel unsafe or unwelcome.
The proposed area for review runs along Macquarie Street from the northern transport hub outside Riverdale Shopping Centre to the southern hub outside Dubbo Square as well as laneways linking Macquarie Street to public carparks along the Macquarie River.
DRC Mayor Josh Black said Council was looking outside of the box when it came to undertaking this program.
“This isn’t a traditional consultation, it’s a co-design process and the observations of those participating will directly inform the findings and priority actions,”
“By testing practical safety improvements, the project will directly inform a co-funded safety-led Dubbo CBD Masterplan and long-term city centre renewal”.
DRC is one of 23 successful LGA applicants across NSW selected to receive funding under the NSW Government’s Safer Cities: Her Way 2 program.
Minister for Transport John Graham said this was the second round of the first-of-its-kind Safer Cities: Her Way program.
“This new funding builds on the success of the Safer Cities program, which has already engaged with around 30,000 people to shape projects across more than 80 communities across the state.
“Whether walking, riding or using public transport, everyone has the right to travel safely and feel safe in public spaces, both day and night.
“It’s important we continue to invest in programs like this to help deliver local upgrades that make a big difference in building safer, vibrant, thriving communities for everyone.”
The program comes following feedback Council received from the community during the engagement for the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan and the 2024 Community Insights Survey.
The Community Insights Survey saw 39 per cent of respondents say, “addressing public issues such as community safety, crime, homelessness and more police” was a priority for Council over the next 10 years, with the top unprompted priority being ‘public safety’.
During the project, Council will work with community to identify and test a temporary pop-up in and around Macquarie Street, allowing Council to understand how practical changes could improve the area in real time.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe and this project aims to help everyone but particularly women, girls and gender diverse people to feel more comfortable when moving in and around Dubbo at all times of the day and night,” Clr Black said.
