Making Gosford CBD feel safer

Central Coast Council is set to deliver pilot initiatives to enhance safety perceptions across Gosford later this year.

The initiatives will be introduced as part of the Safer Cities: Her Way program in a collaborative partnership with Transport for NSW.

They are based on what the community said in a Council survey would make them feel safer when moving throughout the Gosford CBD and include lighting, public art and wayfinding.

There will also be six weeks of Good Times Summer activations and weekly night markets in the CBD, with Burns Place Park and William Street to undergo a quick refresh.

Council’s Director of Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said the program had an overwhelming response from the community during the recent consultation process, with more than 136,000 pieces of data collected.

“The community shared their thoughts and experiences via a survey, interactive map, in-person walk-in shops and an in-person co-design workshop with community members and key stakeholders including NSW Health, NSW Police, NSW Education, Busways, Transport for NSW and Council staff,” Smith said.

“The data revealed three key themes affecting perceptions of safety (vision, beautification, and activation) and three main areas that the community believed needed attention (Burns Place Park, Kibble Park and the broader Gosford CBD).

“As a result of the engagement activities and the data collected, we’re excited to announce Council will deliver and test five key pilot initiatives towards the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024.”

The refresh of Burns Place Park will see improved lighting, vegetation management, improved lines of sight, public art and activation, with 86 of respondents saying they felt unsafe in the space and 67 per cent having a negative perception of the location.

The William St mall will see the removal of huts and improved lighting, public art and activation.

Half of the respondents said they felt unsafe in the gosford CBD and 61 per cent had a negative perception.

In response, Council will implement laneway lighting, incorporate public art, create safer connections and organise community events and activations throughout the CBD.

The Good Times Summer activation will launch with a program of events across Gosford over a six-week period, commencing in December this year.

Weekly night markets will also make a comeback.

Improved signage will be erected across the CBD to share community information on safe travels and general information.

Administrator Rik Hart said he was excited to see the projects commence.

“The number of survey submissions is a testament to the community’s dedication to making Gosford feel safer,” he said.

“I’m excited to see the impact the pilot initiatives will have on the Gosford CBD and the flow-on effect to the region.”

To read the consultation report, watch the video and stay up to date with the program, visit yourvoiceourcoast.com/herway

Source:
Central Coast Council