FOUR interactive installations called the “Nellies” were unveiled on Thursday 7 May on Yacaaba Street, Nelson Bay, as part of a project to improve the safety of women in public spaces.
The Nellies were born from a collaboration between Port Stephens Council and the University of Newcastle, and are described as a mix of art, light and technology.
They are made to illuminate the street, catch people’s attention, and encourage interaction.
Their screens display artwork, useful information about the area, and even live feeds of nearby beaches.
Most importantly, they prominently feature quotes by the local women that helped design the installations, sharing their personal perspectives on what community safety means to them.
Mayor Leah Anderson told News of the Area, “This is a beautiful public space that’s a bit underutilised, and we want to encourage more people to [see this].
“We want to make sure that we’re spreading the message of women’s safety wherever they are, especially at nighttime.”
The main innovative feature of the Nellies is that they capture data which will be used to meaningfully improve the safety of the community.
Professor Tamara Blakemore from the University of Newcastle, one of the leading figures in this project, explained that the Nellies have sensors that can detect how many people interact with them, how those people use the area and how long they spend in it.
Additionally, the Nellies can be used to contribute feedback and submit surveys about safety.
“Nellie likes to chat, she’s here to start a conversation, she’s sharing and hearing the stories of women and girls and what makes them feel safe.”
The data, which is completely anonymous, is uploaded on a portal that can be accessed by Council in real time to help the government make decisions about placemaking.
Mayor Anderson said, “Sadly there’s so much domestic violence and other terrible things happening to women, and we want to create communities where we can feel safe.
“It’s a really important message, and we hope it will get a lot of interest.”
By Nico Lombardo
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