By Matthew Sims
Students walking to Beaconhills College’s Pakenham campus now have a safer commute to school, thanks to a new school crossing across the busy Toomuc Valley Road.
Thanks to the advocacy of a Beaconhills College student’s mum, as well as efforts from Cardinia Toomuc Ward councillor Stephanie Davies and mayor Jack Kowarzik, the new school crossing near the intersection with Syme Road was fast-tracked in time for its first use on the first day of Term 3.
Cr Davies said she and Cr Kowarzik were involved in pushing for the crossing to be installed as soon as possible.
“Cr Kowarzik and I together applied some strategic negotiation to senior staff to get the traffic counts redone ahead of schedule, which showed comprehensively there was justification of the crossing,“ she said.
“Pedestrian crossings require State Government endorsement, and we had the support of Emma Vulin MP, and there was very efficient cross-agency work done to get these designed, approved, installed, and lollypop people onsite.
“It also required meetings with the school that had to happen during the holidays.“
Cr Davies said she was grateful to council’s engineers and officers for their fast and efficient work.
“Cr Kowarzik and I did ask to get the staff to work fast enough on the plans to put this for consideration in the council budget for this year as a committed project, but unfortunately cost estimates weren’t ready,“ she said.
“Despite this, the council is in a good financial position and could proceed with this as soon as possible under the operational program, so the community benefits without delay.“
“It’s a testament to the community on its advocacy – and teamwork between the school, the council and state.“
The work was also the result of advocacy work to install extra crossing infrastructure for children attending Great Beginnings further up the road, led by local mother Caitlin Wintaur.
She said she had been advocating for more signage or lighting to remind drivers to slow down, with many speeding up to 80 km/h too early along Toomuc Valley Road as they pass Beaconhills College.
“It doesn’t give you much time to get across the road,“ Ms Wintaur said.
“It’s one that quite a lot of children use.
“We’re very happy that council has taken it seriously.
“We’re looking forward to more details coming.”
While there is a crossing sign in place, Cr Davies said she is keen to see an island refuge, lights or more signage in place.
