Footpath and parking improvements will be delivered in Elliott Heads over coming weeks to make the journey to school safer for students and families.
Two separate projects will see a section of the Breusch Road footpath replaced and will transform the front of the school for safer access.
Divisional representative Cr Tanya McLoughlin welcomed the upgrades for the increasingly busy stretch of road.
“In early November, Council crews will start on the replacement of the Breusch Road footpath between Welch and Shine streets, as the current narrow, bitumen path is in poor condition,” Cr McLoughlin said.
“The new modern concrete pathway will remove any potential hazards along this stretch which connects to the existing path network.
“Through some slight realignment and the cooperation of Ergon Energy, which will relocate power poles, we will also be able to widen this pathway to two metres wide.
“Leading from a growing community towards the school this upgrade has been identified as a priority.”
After completion of this project, Cr McLoughlin said crews would start work on upgrades to Elliott Heads State School.
“We have worked with the school to identify the main areas of concern for students entering the campus on what is a very busy road,” Cr McLoughlin said.
“As a result, upgrades will be undertaken to improve the school crossing, making it more obvious to motorists that it is a designated crossing area and providing a more direct route for students.
“A pathway will also be constructed along the school frontage, linking the parking area and the designated crossing to the school gate, giving students a clear direction on the safest way to enter.”
With the improvements being delivered through the SafeST program, Council will also upgrade parking with the current arrangement no longer meeting relevant standards.
“At the moment there isn’t sufficient distance between the parking spaces and the road,” Cr McLoughlin said.
“This work will require Council to resume a small portion of school property to ensure there is an appropriate buffer between students exiting vehicles and the road, along with providing room for the footpath.”
Elliott Heads footpath works welcomed
Elliott Heads State School principal Nichola Lister said she was grateful that Council had been willing to work with the school to identify a solution to the safety concerns.
“The size of the school has grown over the years and with that the volume of parking and traffic,” Ms Lister said.
She had first approached Council about the need for a footpath in front of the school and said the entire project, including the upgrades to the pathway on Breusch Road, would make a big difference.
“That road is quite busy now with more people living in the area.
“We have quite a lot of children who ride their bikes and mums and dads who walk their children to school.”
The Elliott Heads School SafeST project is being delivered in partnership with Bundaberg Regional Council and the Queensland Government.
The Elliott Heads footpath on Breusch Road is funded as part of the Queensland Government Works for Queensland program.
- Other news: Council workers save plover chick
