The Minns Government has announced a $15 million boost to improve public spaces for women, following growing concerns around harassment and safety.
The funding comes as surveys consistently show many women feel unsafe in public spaces, particularly at night.
Under the Safer Cities: Her Way 2 program, 13 councils will receive $1 million each to deliver major on-the-ground upgrades, while a further 13 councils will receive $150,000 grants.
The funding will go towards changes such as improved lighting in public spaces, upgraded amenities and better designed public spaces which aim to increase both the safety and accessibility for people.
The announcement builds on the original $30 million Safe Cities program, which delivered 21 projects across 10 NSW councils over three years, and aims to focus on improving the visibility, accessibility and overall usability of public areas.
Since June 2025, the expansion of the program has signalled a growing recognition from the government that safety in public spaces is not only an infrastructure issue, but an ongoing social concern shaped by behaviour, perceptions and lived experiences.
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said the program reflects concerns raised by women and girls in their communities.
“We’ve listened to women and girls and local communities to inform the changes and design, and this comes through in the impact report,” she said.
“Improved lighting, signage and landscaping make a big difference in how safe a place feels.
“This additional funding will make sure more local areas in the city and regional New South Wales can be transformed into vibrant, safe and welcoming areas for everyone.”
In the Illawarra, Wollongong City Council has partnered with Transport for NSW to deliver similar upgrades, placing the issues closer to home for local residents who regularly move through public transport hubs and shared spaces.
However, some argue the infrastructure does little to address the underlying causes of harassment and unsafe behaviour.
University of Notre Dame nursing studen,t Cassie Da Silva said that while the changes are a step in the right direction, infrastructure alone cannot solve the issue.
“I think it’s an improvement, but I don’t think that’s where they should stop the improvements. I think it’ll help more people feel safer when walking around in the streets,” she said.
“But I feel like with that, something else could also help a lot more, like targeting the people who are of antisocial behaviour.”
The focus on visibility and design raises broader questions about how “safety” is defined, and whether these upgrades will reduce actual harm or primarily improve the perception of safety.
With projects set to roll out in the coming months, the program is able to reflect on the ongoing investments in public space design, and also raising questions about whether these environmental changes can deliver long-lasting improvements to women’s safety.
