Yass Public School will receive upgrades to its car park, bus stop and safety barriers as part of $871,000 in government funding to improve pedestrian safety at Yass Valley schools. Photo: Yass Public School Facebook.
Yass Valley Council has secured more than $871,000 from the Federal Government and NSW Government to improve pedestrian safety around regional schools.
Yass Public School will be one of the beneficiaries with increased car parking for visitors and staff, and the moving of the bus stop to Laidlaw Street, with the addition of safety barriers. A ‘kiss and drop’ zone will also be installed.
At Jasmin Jones Public School, a shared pathway and pedestrian crossings will be installed.
At Gundaroo Public School, a pedestrian crossing will be installed at the front of the school, along with a disabled car park and relocation of the bus stop. A ‘kiss and drop’ zone will also be installed.
At Mount Carmel School, the children’s crossing will be upgraded and a crossing supervisor will be employed.
Yass Public School principal Michelle Fahey welcomed council’s efforts to secure funding for the safety of local children.
“The Yass Public School car park has become increasingly busy as our school population has grown by one-third in the past few years,” she said.
Ms Fahey said the school and council worked well together to find the best option to ease the traffic problems for families, pedestrians and buses trying to use the drop-off and pick-up zones at the same times.
Local Traffic Committee chair, Councillor Jasmin Jones, welcomed the funding and commended the proposed works that are designed to enhance safety for children and parents.
“It is deeply satisfying to see significant funds secured to address the community’s safety concerns around many of our local schools,” she said.
Yass Valley Council, Transport for NSW and the local community have been lobbying for funding to improve the safety zones at Yass Public School for more than 10 years.
“Both the community and council never gave up on this problem, and have been working together for some time,” said Ms Jones.
“Special mention needs to go to council’s road safety officer, Meryl Hinge, and engineer Terry Cooper for securing the grant and guiding the design process.
“Their assistance to the Local Traffic Committee, which advises council, has been invaluable.”
The school traffic upgrades are expected to commence in January 2022.
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