Interactive installations in Nelson Bay to help improve safety for women and girls through art, data and community insight.
The Nellies Safer Spaces for Women and Girls Project is now live on Yacaaba Street. The interactive installations, designed in collaboration with local women and girls, will help offer insights into how people feel in public spaces at night.
The four digital displays, known as 'Nellies', now form part of the streetscape and will remain in place for six months. Using light, sound and artwork, the installations attract attention and encourage interaction.
The data captured from the Nellies will help the NSW Government better understand how public spaces are used and how safety can be improved.
The project is led by The University of Newcastle in partnership with FASTLabs, Design Anthology, Saphi, Peclet, Urbis and Port Stephens Council. It is funded by the NSW Government through Transport for NSW.
Professor Tamara Blakemore from University of Newcastle said the collaboration combines community insight with innovative design.
"This project places the voices of women and girls at the centre of public space design and community safety," Professor Tamara Blakemore said.
"It helps test how activation can improve safety and encourage more people to use these spaces," Professor Tamara Blakemore added.
Mayor Anderson said Port Stephens Council is proud to support this innovative collaboration combining art, creativity and improving safety in public spaces.
"It's great that our own local women and girls helped shape the look, feel and function of the interactive installations," Mayor Anderson said.
"Innovative projects like this help us understand how our community experience public spaces. They also show how creative design can make places feel safer, more welcoming and more connected," Mayor Anderson added.
The project aligns with Port Stephens Council's Community Wellbeing Strategy by supporting our goal to ensure people feel safe and secure in public spaces. It also builds on Council's ongoing work in placemaking, public art and town centre activation.
Community members can visit the Nellies, starting from the corner of Magnus Street and Yacaaba Street, Nelson Bay and take part in the experience to help shape future public space safety.
