Safety concerns recorded for Peninsula schools

Safety concerns have been recorded for seven schools on the Peninsula in the State Opposition's NSW School Safety Survey, according to Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch.

Ms Tesch said the survey revealed local trouble spots requiring vital improvements to pedestrian crossings, footpaths, parking, drop-off zones and cycling infrastructure around Peninsula schools that would make it easier for parents to leave the car at home and allow more kids to walk or wheel to school.

Ms Tesch said she would be making submissions to Central Coast Council and to the NSW Government to fix the worst hotspots, following the survey to which 137 parents, teachers and residents responded in the Gosford electorate.

More than half the local responses were about Umina Public School, with around 70 people giving their views.

Next most responses for any one school were from 10 people concerning Brisbane Water Secondary College Umina campus.

Needs listed for Umina Public school included: footpaths in Melbourne Ave to connect with existing walk ways; footpaths in Rabaul Rd and Kingsview Rd; lights and a roundabout near Hobart Ave; more pedestrian crossings within 500m of the school; a crossing at the intersection of Ocean Beach Rd and West St; a pedestrian island in Rabaul Rd; speed bumps along Mt Ettalong Rd; flashing lights for crossings near the school; parking control; an extended kiss and drop zone; and extended Opal card eligibility.

Needs listed for Brisbane Water Secondary College included a zebra crossing with flashing lights on Veron Rd, and maintenance and improved drainage on Veron Rd.

Needs listed for Ettalong Public School included extending the kiss and drop zone, a crossing guard at Uligandi St, an extended shared pathway to connect Uligandi St to the Barrenjoey Rd crossing, and provide a crossing with guard near Broken Bay Rd.

For St John the Baptist primary school, there was a need for a safe crossing on Veron Rd between Hillview and Carpenter Sts, and Opal card eligibility needed to be extended.

Umina Beach Day Care needed footpaths to connect existing pathways between Brisbane Ave and Hobart Ave.

Woy Woy Public School needed footpaths with kerb and guttering on all surrounding streets.

Needs listed for Woy Woy South Public School included a footpath to join with Ryan's Rd and Veron Rd, and safety railings on Ocean Beach Rd.

Ms Tesch said now was the time for action.

She said: "There is no cookie-cutter solution to traffic issues around our schools.

"We must listen to the parents, teachers and neighbours who know better than anyone how to fix these issues.

"Parents clearly want their kids to walk or ride to school, and this survey shows us how we can make it a safe option for families.

"Getting families to walk or ride to school is better for kids' health, is cheaper, cleaner and critically, gets cars off our busy streets.

Ms Tesch said that across the state more than 3000 people responded to the survey with information about 509 schools.

SOURCE

Media release, 3 Jun 2020

Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford