In a significant step towards improving public spaces for the perceived safety of women, girls, and gender-diverse people, Griffith City Council's Her Way 2680 project is set to commence with the upgrade of two foot bridges at Ulong Street and Kooyoo Street.
An integral part of this project is to clear some of the vegetation to help create a safe space. Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) has come on board as a partner to support the removal of the vegetation, including the removal of four trees along Canal Street.
MI's Customer Services & Water Delivery General Manager, Lindsay Golsby-Smith, said MI was excited to be involved with this project.
"This is a fantastic initiative for the community, and it will ensure those who work and live around our infrastructure, do so in relative safety," she said.
"It is great to be partnering with the Council to help make it happen. Full credit to Council in being one of just 10 councils across NSW that have secured this funding."
The trees, located near both the Ulong and Kooyoo Bridges, have been identified as barriers to enhancing the perceived safety and accessibility of this public space. Melanie Vella, Project Planner at Griffith City Council, elaborated on the benefits of this tree removal, stating, "The removal of these trees is a crucial step towards creating better sightlines and facilitating upgrades to the adjacent bridges, which was a key outcome from the Her Way Co-Design workshops. This will contribute significantly to the overall sense of safety and aesthetics of the street, aligning with the goals of the Her Way 2680 project."
While acknowledging the importance of preserving greenery, this decision reflects the dedication to creating environments all members of the community can use without concerns for their safety. The tree removal is scheduled to be completed by the end of November. Following this, Griffith City Council is planning to implement several enhancements to the Canal Street footbridges, including improved lighting, widened pathways and enhanced landscaping.
The Griffith City Council Her Way team understands the significance of green spaces and wishes to reassure the community that efforts will be made to replant and replace trees as part of the broader project. This endeavour represents a balanced approach to progress, emphasising the importance of both community safety and environmental stewardship.
