Tara Murray
Brimbank council will monitor the outcomes of the new interactive map launched across Victoria to help create more inclusive spaces for women and gender diverse people.
Launched on April 27, YourGround incorporates geolocation mapping that allows users to drop a pin anywhere in the state and indicate the level of safety they feel in that location.
The concept was brought to life by Monash University’s XYX Lab and digital consultancy CrowdSpot, with more than 20 councils coming on board as partners.
Brimbank council isn’t among those councils.
XYX Lab co-director Nicole Kalms said the map was developed to help better understand people’s safety concerns and how to address them.
She said they approached every council in the state to get involved.
“It’s about understanding the specificity of safety in different places,” Ms Kalms said.
“There are a lot of assumptions on what women and gender diverse people need… this particular tool allows us to gather people’s lived experience.
“We know there is a particular power in numbers… the data can provide a leverage point for prioritising issues that need addressing in local communities.”
As of Thursday, nine people had highlighted concerns in Brimbank on the map.
Four people raised concerns about spots in Sunshine, one in Albion, two in St Albans and one in Sunshine North.
Brimbank council community wellbeing director Lynley Dumble said that while they recognised the value of the project, it wasn’t something they were looking at getting involved with just yet.
“The tool provides an innovative and accessible way for local residents to share their experiences and help to build safer places and communities.
“Council will continue to monitor the outcomes of the project and give consideration to supporting it in the future, subject to council budget.”
Ms Dumble said the council had a number of others ways of trying to ensure people feel safe in the community.
“We do this through a range of activities including creating local connections between neighbours, improving lighting and CCTV initiatives in activity centres, urban design upgrades, and strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders such as Victoria Police and local business associations.
“Council also convenes a quarterly safety roundtable meeting, which brings together key stakeholders to share information and support a safe and inclusive community.
“Council encourages people to report feeling unsafe. If anyone is concerned about safety, lighting, dumped rubbish, graffiti, suspect behaviour and abandoned vehicles please report issues on our website using the ‘Report It’ tool.”
