City’s urgency gets crossing supervisor for Mirripoa Primary School

THE City of Greater Geelong council has approved funding for a crossing supervisor at Mount Duneed’s Mirripoa Primary School, along with a traffic assessment which could result in the installation of a pedestrian crossing.

At last week’s meeting, the council supported a notice of motion to commit $7,500 from the 2019-20 budget for a crossing supervisor at nearby traffic lights on the corner of Unity and Sovereign drives.

Once the traffic assessment is complete, the council will apply for a state government funding contribution for the supervisor.

Cr Ron Nelson, who moved the notice of motion, said appointing an interim crossing guard was a measure the council needed to take immediately.

“The school community raised the need for a dedicated crossing supervisor, and council is pleased to introduce this safety measure in term one. The safety of the community is paramount for council.”

The assessment will also investigate the feasibility of a potential pedestrian crossing near the corner of Armstrong Boulevard and Unity Drive.

The council has allocated $115,000 from the 2020-21 budget for the pedestrian crossing in anticipation of construction.

Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said these measures would allow children to be safe and active.

“By providing these important safety measures we can support parents and kids to walk or ride to school with confidence.”

Earlier in the year, the council similarly agreed to fund a crossing supervisor for St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School on Warralily Boulevard.

However, this only came after South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman had criticised the council and said the pupils’ safety was being neglected.