Willoughby City Council has secured $1 million in NSW Government funding to improve perceptions of safety in Chatswood South, with local women, girls and gender-diverse people set to help shape the precinct’s future.
Chatswood South Transport Precinct project will involve community engagement and co-design workshops to identify safety concerns and opportunities to improve accessibility and movement through the Chatswood South CBD.
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Potential improvements include better lighting and visibility, clearer wayfinding, public art, upgraded amenities and accessibility measures, alongside community events and activations. The final works are yet to be confirmed, with community consultation expected to help establish local priorities.
The project is funded through Transport for NSW’s Safer Cities: Her Way 2 program, building on the original initiative launched in 2022.
The first round saw Transport for NSW partner with 10 local councils to trial temporary and semi-permanent improvements to public spaces, informed by consultation with women, girls and gender-diverse people. Initiatives included creative lighting, seating, landscaping, public art, signage and community activities.
The need for such measures is highlighted in Transport for NSW’s Safer Cities Survey Report, published in July 2023.
The report found that 42 per cent of women surveyed felt unsafe in public spaces after dark most or all of the time. A further 59 per cent rated their sense of safety after dark as “not so safe” or “not at all safe”, compared with 31 per cent of men surveyed.
The research also found that 92 per cent of women and 75 per cent of men agreed their sense of safety influenced the routes they chose, with lighting identified as a key factor.
Additionally, 74 per cent of participants said they would be more likely to walk more if they felt safer, while 64 per cent said they would be more likely to use public transport.
NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said: “Safe and inclusive cities are essential to ensure that people can fully participate in all that NSW has to offer.”
In March 2026, the NSW Government announced a further $15 million investment through Safer Cities: Her Way 2, extending the initiative to another group of councils.
The funding round offers grants of up to $1 million for on-the-ground projects and $150,000 for strategic projects, allowing councils to develop initiatives tailored to local needs.
Willoughby City Council was among 23 successful applicants, securing $1 million for the Chatswood South Transport Precinct project.
The initiative forms part of the broader $50 million Safer Cities program, which aims to improve perceptions of safety for women, girls and gender-diverse people in public spaces and around transport hubs.
Factors such as lighting, visibility, accessibility, signage and activity in public spaces can influence whether people feel comfortable moving through an area, particularly after dark. These considerations can also affect the routes people choose when travelling to and from public transport.
The Chatswood South project will focus on the experiences of people who live, work and travel through the precinct, with community engagement intended to identify where improvements are most needed.
Planned activities include walkshops, where participants move through public spaces and share their experiences, and co-design workshops that allow community members to contribute ideas for potential solutions.
These activities will help Council understand how different people experience local streets, paths and public areas, including barriers that may affect their confidence, accessibility or willingness to use certain routes.
Willoughby City Council Mayor Tanya Taylor said the project would give the community an important role in shaping improvements to Chatswood South.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and comfortable when moving around their local area, whether they are travelling to work, visiting local businesses or spending time with family and friends,” Mayor Taylor said.
She said working directly with women, girls and gender-diverse people would help Council better understand their experiences and identify practical improvements to make the area safer, more welcoming and inclusive.
The $1 million grant will support the two-year project, with further planning and community engagement expected to guide the improvements ultimately delivered.
While the final works and implementation timetable have not yet been confirmed, the project offers residents, workers and visitors an opportunity to influence how public spaces in Chatswood South are designed and experienced.
As Safer Cities: Her Way 2 expands across NSW, the Chatswood project will build on lessons from the first round, using community-led approaches to help create more accessible, inclusive and welcoming public spaces.
