Safer trip to school for region’s students

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Work was recently completed at Sharon State School as part of the SafeST program.
Work was recently completed at Sharon State School as part of the SafeST program.

The trip to and from school is now safer for students at seven of the region’s schools following the completion of a range of improvements.

Bundaberg Regional Council roads and drainage portfolio spokesperson Cr Bill Trevor said the projects were part of the SafeST program, a partnership between Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

“Parents and school staff have contacted Council in the past to report safety concerns they had involving school traffic,” Cr Trevor said.

The installation of the speed bump has slowed all vehicle movement in the car park area which adds to the safety for all users — Sharon State School principal David Teefy

“This might relate to parking arrangements, the speed of vehicles through access streets or the kiss-and-go zone.

“This partnership enables Council and the department to work together to prioritise and budget for school safety improvements.”

The combined SafeST investment for the 2018-19 financial year is $260,000.

Sharon State School safety improved

Sharon State School safety improvements include extension of the Kiss and Go zone.
Sharon State School safety improvements include extension of the Kiss and Go zone.

Sharon State School principal David Teefy said the improvements at his school under the program had addressed concerns from parents.

“The safety of our students was a concern with pick-up and drop-off and safe movement of vehicles and people in the car park,” Mr Teefy said.

“We also had issues with the entry on Sharon Road with students both walking and riding to school.”

Mr Teefy said the recently completed works had already made a noticeable difference.

“Now that all traffic flows smoothly around the roundabout into the Kiss-and-Go area it is much safer for all.

“The extension of the Kiss-and-Go area allows more vehicles to wait in a safer area to pick up students in the afternoon and drop off in the morning.

“The bus zone is also now well marked and all the damaged posts have been replaced with new longer lasting timber ones.

“The installation of the speed bump has slowed all vehicle movement in the car park area which adds to the safety for all users.”

Mr Teefy said the works were well timed as they were carried out during the school holidays ready for the school year to begin.

This year’s SafeST projects:

North Bundaberg Primary School

  • Side access street opening narrowed to reduce vehicle approach speed
  • Speed hump installed to encourage drivers to slow down

Sharon State School

  • Improvements made to bus zone and kiss and go zone
  • Speed hump installed to encourage drivers to slow down

Branyan Road State School

  • School crossing installed on Branyan Drive
  • Parking formalised on Penny Lane and Bocks Road

Gin Gin State Primary School

  • A new pathway connecting the school crossing to existing pathways is under construction and due for completion in coming weeks.

Shalom College

  • Upgraded a pedestrian refuge to help students cross Enterprise Street.

Norville State School

  • A new pathway connecting the school crossing to existing pathways has been constructed.

Walkervale State School

  • A new pathway connecting the school crossing to existing pathways has been constructed.