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School Crossing Supervisor Subsidies Increase

Member for Morwell Russell Northe has announced there will be an extra school crossing supervisor funded in the Morwell electorate for 2013-14.

By Russell Northe - 23rd April 2013 - Back to News

Mr Northe revealed the increased allocation, while unveiling details of the School Crossing Supervisor Subsidy Scheme, which has funding of almost $10.5 million next financial year, up from $9.7 million in 2012-13.

"Latrobe City has been allocated funding for an additional supervisor, providing 31 supervisors in total," Mr Northe said.

Mr Northe said councils were required to review the eligibility of all crossings each year in line with the guidelines and submit an application to VicRoads.

He said councils receive a subsidy as a bulk allocation and councils determine the number of supervisors and the locations.

"The councils know the needs of the local community best, so they are not restricted to the allocations and may appoint a supervisor at any time, on a voluntary or paid basis, provided the person is properly trained."

Since 2002, no child has died at a flagged school crossing, based on pedestrians aged 0-17 at flagged school crossings 8am to 9.30am and 2.30 to 4pm Monday to Friday.

With school resuming next week, Mr Northe reminded road users to slow down near schools.

"School speed zone limits are clearly signposted with permanent speed limit signs, advance warning signs, time based signs or electronic variable signs," Mr Northe said.

"School speed limits exist because young children are the most vulnerable of all road users," Mr Northe said.

"Children can be unpredictable and difficult to see. This is why drivers must take extra care around schools, and slow down.

"Even a small reduction in speed can dramatically increase the chance of a child surviving if hit by a car."

Meanwhile, in a road safety first for Australia, VicRoads has developed two e-books and games for children to promote the themes of walking to school safely and the importance of booster seats.

The e-books and apps bring to life two storybooks – "That’s the Sound the Street Makes" and "Click Clack", written by renowned Australian author Danny Katz and beautifully illustrated by Mitch Vane.

The electronic app versions of the stories are filled with sounds, animations, and hidden surprises, allowing children to read along with the in-built narration and watch each page come to life with interactive scenes and characters.

During the school terms, speed limits will be reduced to either 40km/h or 60km/h outside schools in the morning from 8am to 9.30am and in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 4pm.

Media contact: Russell Northe 5133 9088

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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