The State’s public spaces, parklands and public transport are to undergo a women’s safety overhaul as part of an anti-street harassment initiative funded through the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
Announcing the initiative, Treasurer Matt Kean said recent surveys showed 90 per cent of young women didn’t feel safe in public spaces after dark.
“I have heard too many stories of women taking the long way home to avoid dark streets, or calling a friend while walking in case something goes wrong,” Mr Kean said.
“Safety shouldn’t depend on who you are or where you are.”
He said an anti-street harassment campaign would be launched, along with pilot solutions such as lighting, CCTV and foot traffic upgrades.
Mr Kean said pilot program would initially focus on Parramatta park and The Rocks precinct in Sydney before expanding across the city and into regional areas, with more locations to be announced in coming months.
Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport, Rob Stokes said it was important to start the pilot solutions in Parramatta Park because of its tragic history.
“We will work with women and girls to design safer cities for everyone, designing solutions across our public spaces, parklands, precincts and public transport system,” Mr Stokes said.
“The measures we’ll implement range from better lighting to boosting foot traffic, with the aim of improving the way we build and design infrastructure across the board.”
He said the initiative would include up to 10 pilot projects across the State, with the development of a policy tool-kit to assist Local and State Government in the design of future public space and infrastructure projects.
