Leeton Shire Council is inviting residents to take part in a "Community Walkshop" as part of the Her Way: Safer Cities at Night project. The project aims to improve perceptions of safety and accessibility in Leeton's CBD after dark. The walking workshop or "walkshop" will be held on Wednesday 11 November from 7.00pm to 8.30pm, starting from the water tower at Chelmsford Place, and will provide an opportunity for community members, especially women, girls and gender diverse people to walk a number of identified routes through the Leeton CBD and share their experiences, observations and ideas.
To support the project, Council has engaged respected community development practitioner Peter Kenyon from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S., who previously worked with communities in Whitton and Yanco.
Manager Community Development, Sarah Stewart, said Peter's previous experience engaging with the Leeton Shire community would help foster meaningful conversations throughout the project.
"The walkshop is an opportunity for residents to share their experiences of moving around Leeton after dark, identifying what is working well, and exploring ideas that could make our public spaces more welcoming and accessible for everyone," Ms. Stewart said.
During the session, participants will compare daytime and evening conditions, discuss factors that influence perceptions of safety, and identify opportunities to improve the way people experience Leeton's public spaces after dark. The evening will conclude with pizza and refreshments, providing an opportunity for participants to continue discussions and share ideas in a relaxed setting.
Community feedback gathered through the walkshop, surveys and future co-design activities will help inform a strategic action plan and identify future projects that support community wellbeing, safety and participation.
The project has been made possible through $150,000 in funding from the NSW Government through Transport for NSW's Safer Cities: Her Way 2 program, which aims to help improve perceptions of safety in public spaces and transport hub precincts, particularly for women, girls and gender diverse people.
Minister for Transport John Graham said that "women have the right to feel safe in public spaces, and this funding will help achieve that in Leeton.
"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.
"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."
Council encourages residents of all ages and backgrounds to get involved and help shape the future of Leeton after dark.
Community Walkshop Details
- Date: Wednesday 11 November
- Time: 7.00pm to 8.30pm
- Location: Starting from Chelmsford Place, Leeton
- Facilitator: Peter Kenyon
- Cost: Free
Registration: Scan the QR code or visit https://bit.ly/LSCWalkshop
