Primary school walk worries

By Dion Teasdale
TRAFFIC management problems and concerns about pedestrian safety between two Healesville primary schools will be included in a report to be released in six weeks.
A consultant’s report assessing traffic and pedestrian safety between Healesville Primary School and St Brigid’s Primary is due to be released on Friday, March 10.
The report was jointly commissioned by the Department of Education and Training and the Catholic Education Office last year in response to a request from the Shire of Yarra Ranges for a three-way funding deal for safety improvements.
The Department of Education and Training, which has been criticised for taking time to review traffic safety at the site, has indicated it will resume discussions with all stakeholders in mid-March.
“As soon as it is received, the report will be considered by the department, the Catholic Education Office and the two schools within that next week,” a Department of Education and Training spokeswoman said.
“Meetings will be held with the council as soon as they can be arranged to ensure the best and safest solution is reached.”
Shire of Yarra Ranges manager of community relations, James Martin, welcomed news of the report.
“We look forward to receiving feedback from the Education Department and the Catholic Education Office,” he said.
Mr Martin said the shire hoped to be able to include funding towards road safety between the two schools in its 2006/2007 budget.