Making Blacktown City safer, her way

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 perceptions of safety in public spaces around transport hubs for women, girls and genderdiverse people.

Blacktown City Council has partnered with Transport for NSW on the Safer Cities: Her Way program and is one of 10 pilot councils selected to participate in the program. Council will receive up to $1 million in funding to increase perceptions of 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

Seven Hills/Toongabbie/Wentworthville RSL Sub-Branch