Women and girls are encouraged to have their say on ways Blacktown and Mount Druitt can be made safer for everyone as part of an innovative new initiative from Blacktown City Council and Transport for NSW.
The Safer Cities: Her Way program aims to make public spaces around transport hubs feel safer for everyone, especially women, girls and gender diverse people.
Women and girls aged over 13 years of age are encouraged to provide feedback to Council on their experiences moving through the Blacktown and Mount Druitt town centres, how they affect their sense of safety and explore ideas to make these places feel safer and more welcoming.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale said feedback would be vital in helping improve public spaces around the City for those who feel most at risk.
"In Blacktown City and beyond, women, girls and gender diverse people experience our public spaces differently to men, with a survey finding 59 per cent of NSW women felt unsafe in public places after dark," Mayor Bleasdale said.
"As Blacktown City undergoes significant transformation, change and growth, it is key that our city centres evolve and provide more vibrant and people-friendly spaces.
"Feedback will help shape trial projects to help improve the perception of safety in the Blacktown and Mount Druitt town centres.
"Whether it's more lighting, wayfinding, public art, landscaping, education campaigns or other activations, our aim is for women, girls and gender diverse people to feel safe to move around their local area at any time of day."
How to get involved
If you are a woman, girl or gender diverse person over 13 years of age who travels through the Blacktown or Mount Druitt town centre, we want to hear about your experiences and any ideas you have to make the area feel safer.
Scan the QR code or visit the website to:
• Drop a pin on an interactive map to show where you feel safe/unsafe
• Complete a short survey
• Register for a community walkshop
The walkshops consist of a 2-hour walk around the streets of Blacktown and Mount Druitt, during both the day and evening.
Along the walk, participants are invited to share their experiences of where and why they feel safe/unsafe and discuss their ideas for improvements.
The walkshops and survey will focus on movement in and around the train station and the town centres with particular emphasis on a safe travel path from Blacktown Station to Blacktown Hospital and Mount Druitt Station to Mount Druitt Hospital.
Walkshops will take place on the following dates:
• Mount Druitt Town Centre Walkshop 1: Thursday, 8 June 2023, 2 pm - 4 pm
• Blacktown Town Centre Walkshop 2: Thursday, 8 June 2023, 6 pm - 8 pm
• Blacktown Town Centre Walkshop 3: Thursday, 15 June 2023, 2 pm - 4 pm
• Mount Druitt Town Centre Walkshop 4: Thursday, 15 June 2023 6 pm - 8 pm
Who can participate
All women, girls and gender-diverse people aged 13 and over. If you are aged between 13 and 15 years of age, you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
for the walkshops.
For full details, visit: blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Have-Your-Say/Safer-Cities-Her-Way-Program
