Safe Cities | Safe Streets for Women and Girls
Date: 21 May 2025
Location: Suncorp Stadium and surrounds, Brisbane
Focus: Safety, walkability, and visibility for women and girls at night
Walking with women, listening to their voices
A group of women, community members, and researchers gathered in May, at dusk to walk together around the Suncorp Stadium precinct in Brisbane. This walk was part of the Safe Cities, Safe Streets for Women and Girls initiative, designed to explore how safe and welcoming public spaces feel, especially after dark.
Rather than relying solely on surveys or reports, the group experienced the area first-hand, noticing lighting levels, visibility, signage, and public presence while also listening to each other’s stories and reflections.
What we heard and saw
Many participants shared concerns about feeling unsafe at night, particularly in areas with poor lighting, limited visibility, or isolated paths.
“I don’t feel safe walking or running at night.”
“On event nights, the energy and people help — but when it’s quiet, it feels exposed.”
A key survey question asked participants how much they agreed with this statement:
“At night time, Brisbane is a healthy, safe and active city for women and girls.”
The responses told a clear story:
- Only 4.3% agreed, and 0% strongly agreed
- Nearly 60% disagreed or somewhat disagreed
- Others indicated neither strong agreement nor disagreement, reflecting mixed sentiments.”
Where people felt the most safe
One location within the precinct stood out as the area perceived to be the safest. It benefited from open visibility, steady foot traffic, and proximity to shops and transport.
“The front concourse felt open, well lit, with easy access to buses and trains.”
“I feel safer where I can be seen — not in hidden or narrow spaces.”
Activated streets, and areas with a natural flow of people were consistently seen as more welcoming and secure.
Where safety was a concern
Two locations around the stadium were identified as the least safe. Participants noted poor sightlines, limited exits, dense vegetation, and very few people around on non-event nights.
“It felt really restricted. On a non-event day, this area would feel completely isolated.”
“The lighting and signage just disappear when there’s no game on.”
What would make this precinct feel safer?
Participants offered constructive, thoughtful suggestions for how to improve walkability and safety at night:
- Better lighting – not just for event nights
- Regular activation, even on non-event days (e.g. food stalls, pop-ups, security presence)
- Pedestrian-friendly design – wider, unobstructed paths, good sight lines and slower traffic flow
- Clearer signage and maps, especially for wayfinding to transport
- Emergency buttons and duress alarms in key locations
- More seating, shelter, and amenities
“Light the trees with solar string lights — it makes things visible and beautiful. Safety doesn’t have to be clinical.”
What this walk achieved
The Suncorp Stadium Night Walk precinct walk created space for real conversations about visibility, safety, and comfort through the eyes of women and girls. It highlighted how the same street can feel entirely different depending on the time of day, who’s around, or whether lighting and signage are functioning.
Importantly, the insights gained will support planning for safer and more inclusive public spaces in Brisbane, with a focus on equity and lived experience, not just infrastructure.
Next steps: A safer, more walkable precinct
Insights from the walk will be shared with relevant stakeholders, and conversations focused on the findings and exploring practical changes to improve the precinct for everyone.
The vision is clear: streets and public places that are safe, welcoming, and well-lit every day, not just game day.
When women feel safe to walk, everyone benefits.