Safety in Public Spaces

How our public spaces are designed, used and maintained plays a big part in making people feel safe and able to enjoy life in our city.

Some of the ways we make public spaces feel safer can be quite simple. For example, making sure areas are well lit and clean can go a long way to making spaces feel less threatening.

Holding events like markets, art activities or regular outdoor events in public places can also help discourage anti-social behaviour.

We want everyone to feel safe in our City Centre and surrounding areas.

Our 'I Belong in the Gong' project promotes the message that threats and harassment are not okay and won’t be tolerated in our city.

If you experience any unwelcome behaviour, look for the I Belong in the Gong sticker on store fronts, and in small bars and night spots. Businesses showing this sticker support this project, and their staff can get you help if you need it.

This project is funded by NSW Department of Justice, and is in partnership with NSW Police, Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, Illawarra Multicultural Services and Strategic Community Assistance to Refugee Families (SCARF).

Closed circuit television (CCTV) is used in some public spaces across our city to reduce and prevent crime. CCTV footage can also help police to identify offenders if a crime takes place.

You can find out more on our CCTV page.

We encourage new development in public areas to be designed in ways that help prevent crime. This can include things like allowing for clear sight lines and natural surveillance, good lighting, and removing spaces where offenders could hide.

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