Four supervised school crossings in Campaspe Shire will have their Victorian Government funding cut, slated to be replaced with raised crossings designed to alter driver behaviour.
Some affected residents were informed of the changes by mail, prompting Kyabram resident Tania Chiswell to question council about the move at its September 22 meeting.
Acting director of community and culture Nikita Frawley clarified the decision was not council’s, with the supervised crossings identified for replacement under the Department of Transport and Planning’s School Crossing Risk Assessment Framework.
“The introduction of raised crossings creates a long-term behavioural change in drivers, as they are required to slow down as they traverse the crossings and stop or give way as needed,” Ms Frawley said.
“(This) develops slower speeds throughout the area or a change of use of the area where drivers change their preferred routes.
“In contrast, drivers don’t always slow for supervised school crossings, and there can be confusion regarding who has priority.
“Outside of the supervised times, there is no network benefit to the crossing to assist slowing vehicles. ”
Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell said the crossing upgrades were funded as part of grant funding under the Safer Local Roads and Streets Program, a TAC and DoTP initiative.
“The cessation of operation of four supervised crossing sites ... will depend upon the time frame for installation of the raised pedestrian crossings ... (which) are yet to be confirmed,” Cr Mackrell said.
“Consultation has commenced; however, survey and design are yet to be undertaken.
“Council aims to complete the works within school holidays ... (but), if this is not possible, there will be no point at which a school will be without a form of crossing point.”
The raised crossings, once constructed, will be council assets, with council responsible for the sites’ maintenance.
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