Campaspe Shire Council has noted two reports, the Getting to school by walking and cycling: St Augustine’s College and Getting to school by walking and cycling: Echuca East Primary School, which identify opportunities to encourage active transport around the schools.
Mayor Cr Adrian Weston said council has been actively working with the two schools to pinpoint opportunities to make walking and cycling to and from school safer.
“In depth conversations have been held with the schools to ascertain what improvements need to be made around walking and cycling infrastructure to improve the health and wellbeing of the community,” Cr Weston said.
Funded by the Transport Accident Commission, the reports build on council’s recently adopted Active Transport Strategy which supports and encourages people to travel more actively in the local area.
St Augustine’s College and Echuca East Primary School were identified due to being in very different environments, but representative of schools within the municipality. They were also identified as having the most concerns with supporting infrastructure.
“Findings from these reports can be applied to other schools in similar locations around the shire,” Cr Weston said.
Key report findings identified through consultation to improve safety include:
- Reduced speed limits
- Additional footpaths and crossings
- Installation of median refuge islands
- Creation of clear ‘school zones’
- Reduced car parking near busy intersections where visibility can be compromised
- Improved maintenance of shared paths
- Creation of bike lanes
Now complete, these reports are a step towards improving infrastructure in the area, with priority projects to be referred to the 2020/21 Capital Works Program for consideration.
The full reports are available on council’s website.
