Parents’ safety push

By Lia Bichel
PARENTS worried about their children’s safety have called on their local MP to advocate for an extended school zone around Timbarra.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan is calling on the City of Casey to request an extension of the 40km/h school zone around Timbarra to include the bus stops on Parkhill Drive and median strip on Ernst Wanke Road.
“It makes no sense to have a school zone that doesn’t extend to the bus stops which many of the kids use every day,” Mr Donnellan said.
“Parents have visited me to ask if VicRoads can extend the school zone speed limit, but as a local road, it’s up to the City of Casey to request the change for it to be considered.”
Mr Donnellan said VicRoads indicated to him they would positively consider such a request if it came from the council, but added that council executives seemed “out of touch with the local community desires.”
“I’ve been informed that Casey has indicated no change needs to occur,” Mr Donnellan said.
“I’m calling on the out-of-touch executive of the City of Casey to change their tune on the issue and help make the roads safer for local school kids.”
Mr Donnellan said he hoped the City of Casey and VicRoads could work together to find a better outcome for the local community.
City of Casey manager Transport Paul Hamilton said the existing school speed zone was installed by VicRoads and was consistent with the State Speed Zoning Guidelines for the current operation of the school.
Mr Hamilton said the Timbarra School was currently being redeveloped and expanded to become a P-9 College and once the new facilities open, there will be a need to review the operation of the school speed zone in Parkhill Drive.
“The council will be initiating the review and if any changes to the current speed zone are identified, then these will be referred to VicRoads for approval,” Mr Hamilton said.