Mums, dads sign up for action

ALMOST 150 people have signed a petition calling for improved drop-off and pick-up facilities at Helensvale State School.

The northern Gold Coast primary school, located on a quiet residential street, opened in 1984 with 238 students. It now caters for 1005 pupils.

Frustrated parents, many of whom have received parking fines while waiting to pick up their children amid heavy congestion, say parking facilities at the school have not kept pace with that growth.

“The school population has grown, but they’ve not grown the infrastructure around it, which has led to the problem we’re having today,” parent Suzanne Hall said.

“Something needs to be done for all of us who go there to make it easier, and easier on the residents as well who live there, because they’re getting blocked as well before and after school.”

There is a 37-space carpark at the school and a small kiss-and-go zone, created by council in 2019 by converting 12 car spaces at the front of the school after a trial period.

Council has also recently spent $600,000 upgrading pathways around the school.

Ms Hall said while parents who were trying to do the right thing were unhappy about fines, their greatest concern was the safety of young children amid the chaos.

The Bulletin asked the Department of Education whether it was exploring the possibility of additional parking or a larger kiss-and-go zone at the school.

“Helensvale State School, like all Queensland state schools, places the highest priority on ensuring the safety of all students, staff and members of the school community,” a spokesman said.

“The principal is working with the P&C, regional office and local council to explore a range of options to address parking issues.”

Division 2 councillor William Owen-Jones said he would be happy to present a petition of parents to the council, which would then lead to a report being prepared by city officers.

“If a petition is finalised – and all I need is 10 signatures and people’s addresses – a report will be done,” Mr Owen-Jones said.