Safer Cities: Her Way Lismore CBD Safety Project

September 2024 update

Creating a Safer CBD through community, connection and culture

If you’ve parked in Brown’s Creek Carpark recently, and walked through to Woodlark Street, you would surely have seen the beautiful enhancements to the Unnamed Laneway (just near the public amenities).

The Laneway now boasts artworks by local artists (find out more here), catenary lighting, CCTV, seating, safety bollards and a convex mirror – all of which improve safety and accessibility, and reflect Lismore’s character and identity.

Council’s SCHW project team is excited to share the results of feedback collected during the final workshop for this project. Data from participant surveys clearly shows that the project achieved the following key outcomes:

• the community-identified needs around safety and accessibility were positively addressed
• perceptions of safety were improved significantly
• place identity, character and community value of each site were strengthened significantly.

Post-build data indicates that the range of interventions incorporated into the two sites are complimentary, combining positively to create public spaces that are safe and welcoming. All interventions add to Lismore’s place identity and character, and enhance the community value of these destinations.

Community members expressed their delight in being involved in the project from the initial stages, which included walkshops and a co-design workshop. Here’s an excerpt of what they said:

• Thank you for the opportunity to have input into where I work, live and play.
• All events were great and hit the mark within the community.

And here’s how participants felt about the improvements and safety interventions they asked for:

• Smooth paving and excellent lighting, makes the space much more useful and engaging.
• I feel safe here – well lit and full of great art to connect with.
• Good lighting and clear lines of sight, welcoming and community connection.
• The improved lighting makes this space much more useable, I love that there is additional CCTV. 

Key statistics for the Unnamed Laneway:

Watch this space for updates and statistics on the second SCHW project site, Harold Fredericks Carpark.

July 2024 update

The final phase of the Safer Cities: Her Way initiative, funded by Transport NSW is now underway. The final walkshop for the Safer Cities Her Way project will occur on Wednesday, 4 September 6pm-8pm where feedback will be collected from participants regarding the interventions made.

Over the coming weeks the safety interventions that were identified by the community at walkshops and the co-design workshop will be installed. Participants of this final walkshop will be surveyed to determine if these interventions have improved safety, accessibility and sense of community of the two project sites:

• Harold Fredericks Carpark; and 
• the pedestrian laneway at 56 Woodlark Street, which links Woodlark Street and the Clyde Campbell Car Park.

Both sites were highlighted by the community as areas of safety concern, making them priority sites for the project. New asphalt was recently laid in the laneway, while a new concrete footpath will be installed in Harold Fredericks Carpark. These upgrades will provide designated foot traffic areas with safe, smooth surfaces that reduce the risk of trips and falls and improve accessibility for people with mobility aids.

Other safety improvements to be installed across the two sites include fencing, additional CCTV cameras, seating, improved lighting, convex mirrors and safety bollards. Foot-traffic areas will be clearly designated within the carpark through indigenous-themed murals that reflect Lismore’s character and identity.

About the project

Lismore City Council is committed to enhancing our CBD as a safe and welcoming environment for all. We are thrilled to announce our participation in the Safer Cities: Her Way Program, a collaborative initiative between Transport for NSW and 10 pilot councils across NSW, including Lismore. This program aims to implement demonstration projects focused on improving safety for women, girls and gender-diverse individuals in public spaces and transport hubs.

The Lismore CBD project will involve co-design workshops with local women, girls and gender-diverse individuals to capture the essence of our community's identity. Through various engagement methods, we will select one precinct to enhance, with the following objectives:

• Enhancing the sense of safety for women and girls, particularly in light of the pandemic's impacts on public spaces;
• Improving the accessibility, walkability, and safety of pedestrian and cyclist connections both day and night;
• Creating a welcoming space for community gatherings and connections;
• Strengthening the identity, character, and value of the chosen precinct while promoting inclusivity and diversity; and
• Fostering local community stewardship and pride in our shared spaces.

The project's effectiveness will be evaluated to advocate for long-term changes across business centres within the Lismore Local Government Area.

Find out more

• Concept design: Open (Unnamed) Laneway - Woodlark Street to Browns Creek Carpark(PDF, 570KB)
• Concept design: Harold Fredericks Carpark(PDF, 696KB)
• Safer Cities: Her Way website