Women, girls and gender -diverse people will play a central role in designing a night -time walking, running and movement route in Parramatta, with support from a $150,000 grant under the NSW Government ’s Safer Cities : Her Way 2 program.
The program works with communities to improve perceptions of safety and accessibility in public spaces for everyone, but particularly for women, girls and gender -diverse people.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Cameron MacLean said the project reflects Council’s commitment to creating a City that is welcoming and accessible for everyone.
“Parramatta is Australia’s next great City and we want everyone to feel confident enjoying everything it has to offer, day or night,” Cr MacLean said.
“This project puts the community at the centre of the conversation. Women, girls and gender-diverse people will help shape solutions that reflect their lived experiences and make it easier to move around the City safely and independently after dark.
“When more people feel safe , we’ll see stronger community connections, improved health and wellbeing and a more vibrant night-time economy. ”
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis MP said: “Day and night, women have the right to feel safe when they are moving around Parramatta.
“Safe spaces are integral to the success of our City and this pilot seeks to hear from women, girls and gender diverse people about making Parramatta a more inclusive and welcoming place to live, work and visit.”
Council’s 2024 Crime Prevention Community Survey found 59 percent of men reported feeling safe walking at night compared with 43 percent of women and 41 percent of LGBTQIA+ respondents.
This project builds on community feedback from Council’s 2024 Purple Flag and Safer Cities collaboration , delivering targeted improvements to make Parramatta ’s CBD safer, more accessible and easier to navigate including better lighting and wayfinding , clearer sightlines, improved pathways and stronger passive surveillance.
The Safer Cities : Her Way 2 program will engage the community through surveys, online mapping tools, “walkshops ”, and co -design sessions until December this year.
Feedback will help inform a pilot program to support women’s participation in running which could include temporary lighting, wayfinding, public art, activation programs, or partnerships with local organisations.
This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government through the Safer Cities: Her Way 2 program and will support research and community co -design of the improved walking , running and movement route.
For more information , visit Participate Parramatta.
