By JESSE GRAHAM
UNDER-USED school crossings face the chop under a Yarra Ranges Council review announced last week.
However councillors said at their 22 July meeting that children’s safety would remain paramount and there would need to be strong reasons to close a crossing
The type of road, the number of passing vehicles and pedestrians using the crossings will all be considered as part of the review, which is about “ensuring efficiencies” in costs.
At the meeting, councillor Len Cox said he was hesitant about the review and said he would want to see some strong arguments before any school crossings were closed.
“Crossings are there for a very good reason – to protect our children,” he said.
“I’m happy for this to go through, but I certainly suggest we need to be very careful about closing down school crossings that are being used.”
Cr Cox’s sentiments were echoed by a number of councillors who said they would need to see evidence that crossings weren’t being used before they supported a closure.
Mayor Fiona McAllister said that, with a fatality and a serious injury occurring at a school crossing in Healesville in recent years, she would also need to see strong evidence before approving any closures.
However, the council has since said it will not compromise on pedestrian safety and that crossing supervisors, communities and stakeholders will be consulted through the review.
Yarra Ranges Deputy Mayor Maria McCarthy said after the meeting that school crossings programs are partly funded by VicRoads, and funding is determined by the number of pedestrians using them.
Cr McCarthy said the review will identify crossings that no longer meet funding requirements and that new crossings could be added if the demand is identified.
“Council is looking forward to seeing the outcomes of the review, before determining a way forward,” she said.
For more information on the review, call Yarra Ranges Council on 1300 368 333.
