New interactive streetscape installations in Nelson Bay are lighting up to help improve safety for women and girls through art, data and community insight.
The Nellies Safer Spaces for Women and Girls Project is now live on Yacaaba Street in Nelson Bay. The installations, designed in collaboration with local women and girls, will help offer insights into how people feel in public spaces at night, Port Stephens Council explained in a statement.
The four digital displays, known as ‘Nellies’, will remain in place for six months. Using light, sound and artwork, the installations attract attention and encourage interaction.
“Innovative projects like this help us understand how our community experience public spaces. They also show how creative design can make places feel safer, more welcoming and more connected,” said Mayor, Leah Anderson (pictured, right).
She said the data captured from the Nellies will help the NSW Government better understand how public spaces are used and how safety can be improved.
The project is being led by The University of Newcastle in partnership with FASTLabs, Design Anthology, Saphi, Peclet, Urbis and the Council. It is funded by the NSW Government through Transport for NSW.
Professor Tamara Blakemore from University of Newcastle said the collaboration combines community insight with innovative design.
“This project places the voices of women and girls at the centre of public space design and community safety,” Prof Blakemore said.
“It helps test how activation can improve safety and encourage more people to use these spaces.”
Mayor Anderson said Port Stephens Council was proud to support the innovative collaboration.
“It’s great that our own local women and girls helped shape the look, feel and function of the interactive installations,” she said.
The project aligns with Port Stephens Council’s Community Wellbeing Strategy by supporting its goal to ensure people feel safe and secure in public spaces. It also builds on Council’s ongoing work in placemaking, public art and town centre activation.
For more information visit: pscouncil.info/Nellies.
