Better surveillance, public art, targeted cleaning and working together to activate spaces, have been identified as some of the ways to make Blacktown City safer, thanks to feedback from local women through the Safer Cities: Her Way program.
More than 70 women took part in a series of ‘walkshops’, or walking workshops, in the Blacktown and Mount Druitt town centres discussing personal safety and exploring ways to improve safety in public spaces around transport hubs for women, girls and gender-diverse people.
Blacktown City Council has partnered with Transport for NSW on the Safer Cities: Her Way program and is one of 10 councils selected to participate in the program. Council will receive up to $1 million in funding to increase safety in the City.
Blacktown City Councillor Kathie Collins OAM joined a daytime walkshop through the Blacktown CBD, hearing from local women.
“As a female Councillor, I am particularly passionate about finding ways to make our City spaces feel safer for women and girls, especially at night,” Councillor Collins said.
“This program gives women and girls a voice in discussions about their safety and will help develop trial projects to address their concerns.
“Whether this be through improved street lighting, public art, extra seating or signage, there are many ways we can make our City feel safer and more welcoming.”
Groups took part in both day time and night time walks in Blacktown and Mount Druitt, travelling a path from the train station, through the town centre to the local hospital, and were encouraged to provide their feedback along the journey.
Participants provided feedback through an online survey and interactive map, where they were asked to drop pins at locations where they felt safe and unsafe.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said, “This initiative is a great way for Council and Transport for NSW to look at how we can better involve women and girls in the ways we design public places.
Picture: Women take part in a day time walkshop in the Blacktown CBD as part of the Safer Cities: Her Way program.
