Bayside urges action on better funding for school crossings
Bayside City Council is joining 24 Councils from across Victoria to urge the State Government to take action for better funding to ensure the safety of children at school crossings across Bayside.
Bayside’s call comes as a new survey of councils across the state shows that the program – deemed essential for the safety of Victorian school children – is under intense pressure.
The survey found that:
- 97 per cent of councils have unsupervised crossing sessions
- 82 per cent regularly face crossing supervisor staff shortages, and
- 87 per cent consider the system no longer fit for purpose
Bayside Mayor Cr Alex del Porto said an urgent review of the school crossing supervisor program is needed.
“Children are some of our most vulnerable road users and it’s imperative we get the best school crossing supervisor program possible to ensure that the school children of Victoria are safe,” Cr del Porto said.
“There are many hidden costs for council – which is being squeezed by rate capping and soaring inflation – including outgoings for uniforms, medical checks, working-with-children checks, training, program co-ordination and administration.”
Bayside is calling on the state government to fulfil its responsibilities to the school children of Bayside by:
- Delivering a review of the school crossing supervisor system
- Working closely with Bayside City Council to deliver a solution for our school children
- Funding 100 per cent of the cost of the school crossing supervisor program in Bayside.
“Only a thorough government review will properly identify all the issues and, where necessary, provide the practical on-the-ground 21st century solutions the system needs.”
The State Government made a commitment to the community in 2016 to undertake a broad strategic review into the movement and safety of school students.
