Yass Valley School Safety Upgrades Complete

There’s been a lot of work going on over the last year to ensure that our schools are safer. The improvements were funded by a $1.5 million joint investment from Yass Valley Council and the Federal and NSW Governments’ 2021/22 School Zone Infrastructure Sub-Program.

Work to improve crossings, parking and bus zones at Yass Public School, Berinba Public School, Gundaroo Public School and Mt Carmel School was completed between January and July 2022.

Council and the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program also invested $128,000 to complete safety upgrades at Sutton Public School at the same time.

Yass Valley Council’s Road Safety Officer Meryl Hinge said she was pleased to finally tackle some of the highest priority safety issues around local schools.

“With the current amount of approved developments all over the local government area, it was a great opportunity to make upgrades now and the federal grant was a timely windfall,” said Ms Hinge.

Yass Public School Principal Michelle Fahey said the car park upgrade has made a huge difference to the whole school.

“Our students are safer with the buses doing their pick-up and drop-off on the main road. The staff have their own car park and, as they arrive before and leave later than families, it makes our mornings and afternoons much safer in our school car park,” Ms Fahey said.

Former Chair of the Local Traffic Committee and Deputy Mayor Jasmin Jones said funding for the much-needed upgrades was successfully secured by Council after many years of advocating Transport for NSW on behalf of the schools and community.

“Special thanks needs to go to our engineering staff and Road Safety Officer Meryl Hinge for securing the grants and liaising with stakeholders over a ten-year period to get these projects funded and completed,” Cr Jones said.

“I believe the outcome has increased safety for our children and reduced traffic delays for the bus service, particularly around Yass Public School. It took years of advocacy from schools, bus drivers, parents and Council to achieve this outcome.”

• Topics:

• Road Safety
• Education / Training
• Local Council