The Central Goldfields Shire is seeking the voices of people in these groups as part of a project called YourGround, designed to map where women and gender diverse people feel safe and unsafe.

Shire community wellbeing general manager Martin Collins said the council was keen to be involved, because the information would help it better design public spaces.

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Mr Collins said it was important the shire hear the voices of women and gender diverse people to better represent them in the ways it organised and prioritised new projects.

He said women were six times less likely to go out alone after dark than men, while gender diverse people experienced violence at a much higher rate than even women.

Mr Collins said steps like improved lighting, or visibility could improve feelings of safety in certain areas, while council could also run education campaigns and work jointly with police.

He said comments on the map could also be useful justification for the council when writing funding applications.

But Mr Collins said overall it was important the Central Goldfields did all it could to prioritise the wellbeing of its residents.

"The overall thing is for a council to show a bit of leadership," he said.

"Violence against women and gender diverse people is something that is not tolerated, and we stand against that as a council.

"We have a responsibility to really prioritise reduction of violence to make sure people do feel safe."

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The YourGround map shows 19 places marked as either safe or unsafe spaces within the Central Goldfields.

Most were concentrated in Maryborough, with some in Dunolly, Carisbrook and surrounds.

Comments on some places include that they feel uncared for, have poor lighting, or that the behaviour of people there made the commenter uncomfortable.

Others include praise of good lighting, safe pathways, and clear exits and entrances.

Central Victorian Centre Against Sexual Assault chief executive Kate Wright said the data was important for helping women and other community members feel safe, but it didn't relate directly to the prevention of sexual assault.

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Ms Wright said most sexual assault took place in people's homes, usually by someone known to the victim.

"The actual reality of a stranger-related rape, is not what we see at CASA central Victoria," she said.

Mr Collins urged women and gender diverse people in the Central Goldfields to have their say on the map.

He said YourGround was about public space in general but had a focus on recreation spaces, because women were far less likely to be comfortable going out in the dark to exercise.

The project is being run by Monash University and tech company Crowdspot, in partnership with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Respect Victoria, and multiple local councils.

YourGround is open online until August 1.

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