As part of the $30 million Safer Cities Program, which is putting the experiences of women and gender diverse people at the forefront of public space planning, Transport for New South Wales has announced it will partner with several local councils to deliver the $10 million Her Way initiative over the next 18-months.
Up to $1 million will be provided to each local council to make public spaces, including streets and public transport hubs, safer for women, girls and gender diverse people.
The Safer Cities Program will deliver projects across train stations in Greater Sydney, and in Parramatta Park and The Rocks, where extensive co-design has already taken place including night walks and workshops with women, girls and gender diverse people of all ages, needs and backgrounds.
A public education campaign will be launched in 2023 and focus on improving safety and reducing harassment.
The program will also set a best practice framework for public space interventions for safety.
Whether it’s more lighting, wayfinding, public art, landscaping, education and awareness campaigns or other activities to create safe connections through parks, public places and around transport hubs – the aim is for women, girls and gender diverse people to feel safe to move around their local areas at any time of day.
Transport for New South Wales is also inviting people over 16 years of age to complete a short, anonymous ten minute survey to better understand the experiences that affect residents’ sense of safety in and around public spaces and transport hubs.