Rangeview and St Timothy’s primary schools crossing closures delayed by Whitehorse Council

A decision to close 11 school crossings across a swathe of eastern suburbs is being reconsidered after massive community backlash.

Crossing supervisor Lorron Lewis with concerned families at her crossing, which could be closed. Picture: Hamish Blair

School communities have been left worried and outraged after learning of Whitehorse Council’s plan to shut 11 school crossings.

But backlash from principals, parents and teachers has been so strong the council has announced it was reconsidering the changes.

Whitehorse Leader understands the council notified affected schools earlier this month it would be closing 11 crossings from term 2 because the crossings were no longer eligible for a VicRoads’ subsidy.

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That move came as the council also announced it would add 11 new crossings across the city. The council’s city development general manager Jeff Green told Whitehorse Leader the proposed changes had been put on hold because of feedback from schools and residents.

“Over the coming months, council officers will consult with local schools and VicRoads to determine the safest outcome for children and families,” Mr Green said.

He said the cost to train and employ a supervisor was about $15,000 per crossing each year, which added up to a cost of $1.08 million annually.

Students using a crossing that is scheduled to be closed. Picture: Hamish Blair

Crossings originally slated for closure included two of Rangeview Primary School’s four crossings, two crossings at Mt Pleasant Road Primary School and the only crossing at St Timothy’s Primary School.

The crossings are said to be ineligible for money based on the results of a survey conducted of the roads on Tuesday, November 13.

But the crossing users say supervisors at the locations are absolutely warranted.

Mum Rebecca Garland uses the Churinga Ave crossing at the front of Rangeview Primary School everyday and said the plan to close it was “a crazy decision”.

“It’s shocking,” she said. “It’s quite chaotic at the front entrance.”

Crossing supervisor Lorron Lewis escorts students across her crossing which is due to be closed. Picture: Hamish Blair

Ms Garland said the school community was surprised the council had not negotiated about the decision.

She said the survey would have been inaccurate because on Tuesday mornings many children arrived much earlier than usual to attend choir.

Ms Garland said one of the school’s longtime crossing supervisors was extremely upset by the decision, and was getting parents and students to note every time they used crossing to show the council it was frequently used.

St Timothy’s Primary School principal Anne Maree Jones was one of the representatives who spoke against the decision at the council’s meeting on Tuesday, March 12.

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She said the research behind such “a major decision” had lacked “rigour”, and did not take into consideration that Stevens Rd was a two-way bus route, a main point of access to Brentford Square and that a new childcare centre would be opening within the school grounds.

She said taking away the crossing would discourage walking to school, conflicting with its long term values to promote a “positive, healthy lifestyle”.

“New school crossings should not come at the expense of existing school crossings,” she told the council.