School zone signs a boon for crossing safety

FLASHING 40kmh speed limit signs will be installed at both approaches to the Caledonian Primary School crossing on Water Street in Brown Hill in a major safety boost for the community.

Eureka MP Michaela Settle last week confirmed that $300,000 had been allocated in the 2025-2026 State Budget for the lights after several years of advocacy by both herself and school officials.

The news was hailed as a big step forward for the safety of students and others who use the crossing during school times, with numerous reports of “near misses” at the crossing.

The signs will be similar to those on Victoria Street outside the St Alipius Parish School – a flashing, circled numeric 40 in red LED lights – that warn motorists they are approaching a school zone and must slow down.

Caledonian Primary School principal Ben Moody said he was delighted that advocacy had finally borne fruit.

The Water Street crossing currently has no flashing warning signs at either approach on Water Street.

“Anything that keeps children safe around our school setting is really important to us,” Mr Moody said.

He said the crossing was also used by students from the nearby Woodmans Hill Secondary College, so they would also benefit.

He said Ms Settle had been working with the school council on the issue ever since the school came into her electorate with the redivision of boundaries in 2022.

Ms Settle confirmed that she had been meeting with the school council, Mr Moody and parents over the past two years to secure the lights.

“They’ve all raised safety concerns around this road,” she said.

Officials have reported numerous near misses as vehicles travel through the school crossing zone.

“One of the issues is that Water Street is very wide and people tend to see it as not a city road, and we’ve had quite a few incidences (of near misses).”

Crossing supervisor Barry Eppingstall said it was presently not safe for him to walk out onto the road with his bat without holding it out in front of him at an angle to make motorists aware that he is coming out from his position.

He agreed the lights would be a major safety improvement.

“It’s not going to be foolproof but it’s going to be a hell of a lot better,” he said.

Ms Settle said the project would now go to the Department of Transport to be progressed, so no precise timeline had yet been worked out. “But I’ll certainly be making sure that it’s a priority.”