Pleas heard for crossing upgrade
Safeguard future generations of Neerim South was the call as a group of residents appealed for a school crossing upgrade.
Three speakers representing more than a dozen supporters wearing hi-vis and holding signs, pleaded their case at Baw Baw Shire Council’s special budget submissions meeting on Wednesday night.
Three near misses at the unsupervised crossing on Neerim East Rd in just one day emphasised the need for urgent safety improvements, they said.
Mary Beck Preschool parent advisory group president Catherine Jenson said she used the crossing up to 20 times per week as the kinder did not have a dedicated carpark.
She said motorists were observed exceeding the speed limit, failing to give way and “three near misses in one day”.
Noting it was one of only a few unsupervised school crossings in Baw Baw, Ms Jenson said its close proximity to the kinder, primary and secondary schools, skate park, recreation reserve and swimming pool meant it was highly used.
She said the kinder had collected data, showing 186 vehicles and 83 pedestrians at the crossing within an hour during the morning peak.
“Near misses were observed nearly every day,” Ms Jenson said. “We are concerned that it is only a matter of time before a near miss becomes an accident, with the likelihood of a fatality.”
“This is not a trivial request to get a playground landscaped, this is to keep our children safe.
“So tonight we are wearing hi-vis because we want to be counted, we want to be seen,” Ms Jenson concluded.
Kinder road safety working group leader Emma Keft said the existing crossing didn’t meet demand.
“We don’t know what the best solution is,” Ms Keft said, suggesting council could employ a supervisor, install speed cushions or put up solar warning signs.
“Together we can create a safe environment that’s predictable for motorists, meets the needs of today’s children and young families, and safeguards the future generations of Neerim South,” she said.
Neerim District Progress Association president Lyn Wells said the group was “completely in support” of a safety upgrade.
“They have voiced the concerns of many, many community members across the board,” Ms Wells said.
Ms Wells said it was difficult for parents to secure kinder-aged kids, toddlers and prams to safely cross the road.
She urged council to “turn it into a fully fledged pedestrian crossing with as many lights and bells and whistles as you can possibly afford”.
“I would urge the council to consider these ladies’ submissions. It truly does reflect the community feeling, it truly does reflect a major need in our community.”
“If our three and four-year-olds’ safety is not important in this day and age, I don’t know what is,” Ms Well said.