300 want a slowdown- Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan, school council president Sue Wren and Cr Judy Owen all want a reduced speed limit near Timbarra P-9 College. 69227

By Lia Bichel
MORE than 300 people have signed petitions calling for an extended school zone around Timbarra P-9 College.
The petition asks the City of Casey to request an extension of the 40km/hour school zone around Timbarra to include the bus stops on Parkhill Drive and median strip on Ernst Wanke Road.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan handed the petition to school council president Sue Wren and Cr Judy Owen last week.
Mr Donnellan said many Berwick residents were demanding safer road measures for their kids who attend Timbarra, which will soon be expanding.
He said he organised the petition because he believed the community had a right to voice their concerns and he hoped parents of students at Timbarra and the broader local community got behind the petition so Casey would act.
“With more students at the school, and the current 70km/h speed limit on Ernst Wanke Drive, there is a greater risk of kids getting injured by speeding motorists,” Mr Donnellan said.
Mr Donnellan said if a petition concerned a local road, it was not up to VicRoads to extend the school zone speed limit, but up to the City of Casey to request the change for it to be considered. He hoped they could work together to find a better outcome for the local community.
Cr Owen said the area was a hot spot for speeders and was a dangerous road pedestrians.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen,” Cr Owen said.
“Cars are entering the nearby roundabout at 70 kilometres an hour, with people walking everywhere. It’s not only the kids from Timbarra who are in danger but people walking to the shopping centre or getting off the buses on the road or even the person who is manning the pedestrian crossing.”
Cr Owen said she hoped to have the support from fellow councillors when she submits the petition at the next council meeting on 6 September.
“I will be keeping on this one – I believe the speed limit needs to change,” she said.
“If we can get a speed reduction we can hopefully prevent any accidents, injuries or death.”