By KATH GANNAWAY
A NEW carpark at Launching Place Primary School will address a traffic problem that has plagued the school and the neighbourhood for years.
School captains joined Casey MP, Tony Smith and Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Maria McCarthy, and O’Shannassy Ward representative, Cr Jim Child on Tuesday, 9 June, for a symbolic ‘turning of the sod’ to mark construction of a new 26-space, drive-through car park.
$160,000 federal government funding for the new car park was announced as a pre-election pledge in 2013.
The car park will not only serve the school community but other groups that use the school’s facilities after hours, as well as providing a disabled parking space and new footpath connections.
Cr Jim Child said the project was a great example of a partnership approach.
“The school lobbied for the car park, the federal government funded it and council will deliver it,” he said.
“It will significantly improve the traffic congestion, not only for the school community, but for residents in the local streets.”
Mr Smith acknowledged the lobbying by Cr Child, the school, and parents and said he was pleased to be able to secure the funding.
“I have no doubt that car park will make a substantial difference for teachers and parents, as well as locals who live in the streets surrounding the school.”
School principal, Ms Narelle Messerle, said the school was pleased to see the project on the go.
“This car park is something the community has been looking forward to for a long, long time,” she said.
She said the school was the hub of the local community with lots of groups using the school outside of school hours for activities including netball, soccer clubs and exercise classes.
“As that hub, it is great to have this happening,” Ms Messerle said.
Work is expected to be finished within the next eight weeks.
