In honour of Audrey Griffin the Minns Labor Government is delivering a $2 million Legacy Grant for Central Coast Council to improve night-time safety in the Gosford area.
Responding to the advocacy from Audrey's family, friends and community calls to enhance public safety, the Legacy Grant will support the council to deliver improvements in the Gosford CBD and around Gosford Station, Gosford East and Erina Creek where Audrey was tragically killed in March last year.
Central Coast Council will now engage with locals, particularly women and young people, to inform the specific upgrades including new lighting, CCTV and landscaping improvements.
This consultation will enable the Council to determine where these upgrades are needed most to help improve safety for the community.
The Legacy Grant builds on the NSW Government's $2 million investment in public safety around the Gosford CBD through the Safer Cities program. This funding included lighting, artworks, signage and landscaping at Burns Place Park, Mann Street Laneway, City Car Park, William Street Plaza and Kibble Park in 2024.
The Safer Cities Program is a $50 million multi-year investment improving safety in public spaces, particularly for women and girls, by increased lighting and revitalisation in public spaces near transport hubs.
The Minns Labor Government is also planning significant improvements to night-time bus transport on the Central Coast so that people can safely travel in and around their community. An uplift in services will be announced later this year as part of the $150 million committed in last year's budget.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"Audrey's death was a devastating tragedy, but thanks to the advocacy of her family and friends, Audrey's legacy will make the streets safer.
"Every woman and young person should feel safe in their community and make it home at the end of a night out.
"I particularly want to thank Audrey's mum Kathleen, who's been calling for these safety upgrades in the wake of every parent's worst nightmare."
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"I want to thank Audrey's family and the Central Coast Council for working with the government to deliver these safety measures for the Central Coast Community.
"This grant builds on the work we're doing in more than 80 communities through the Safer Cities program. If our public spaces are well lit, with increased visibility and food traffic then they become safer.
"Transport is key element to safety on a night out, and we're currently working improvements for the Central Coast."
Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said:
"The loss of Audrey left a devastating impact on our community, and the lasting impact of this tragedy continues to be felt right across the Central Coast.
"It is important that we continue to invest in programs like this to ensure no one feels unsafe at night in our community.
"I want to thank everyone especially Audrey's family for their continued advocacy to ensure we make the Central Coast as safe as possible."
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:
"What happened to Audrey was an absolute tragedy. Women and girls deserve to feel safe in our community, whether it's walking home at night or going out running early in the morning before the sun rises.
"This investment will help create safer public places and transport for women and girls in the Central Coast, and is part of our ongoing work as a government to build a safer New South Wales.
"Thank you to Kathleen who has turned her grief into strong advocacy to enhance women's safety."
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said:
"The devastating loss of Audrey was felt deeply across our Central Coast community. Every woman deserves to come home safely, every time.
"In the face of immeasurable pain, Audrey's mum, Kathleen, family and friends, have been a voice for action working alongside the NSW Government to see these changes.
"Towards the end of 2025, our community came together for Light Up, an event to join together in calling for a brighter future for women's safety.
"Moving forward, I'm glad to see this tangible next step taken by the NSW Government towards this shared goal, making physical improvements to deliver safety after dark in our community.
