Oakleigh South Primary School faces traffic chaos and safety fears over student drop-offs

Parents are calling for a supermarket-sized carpark at a school with more than 1000 students so they can drop off and collect their children more securely.

Shona Elford (centre front) with parents and students at Oakleigh South Primary School. Picture: Jay Town

Parking bedlam at a suburban ­primary school grappling with more than 1000 students has prompted calls for a supermarket-sized carpark.

About 750 parents are battling for a park during drop-off and pick-up at Oakleigh South Primary School.

They are demanding a 200-space carpark be built as they become ­increasingly concerned about children’s safety.

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Shona Elford (front) is one of many parents lobbying for a supermarket-sized carpark. Picture: Jay Town

Mother of two Shona Elford said an existing gravelled area used for parking was a “ticking time bomb”.

“Something needs to be done ­before someone is seriously hurt or killed,’’ Mrs Elford said.

“Not a day goes by that you don’t see one near-miss or a car reverse into another car.

“I made the decision long ago that I would park a few blocks away and walk for the safety of my children — but not everyone can do that.”

Parents say a new sealed carpark would reduce traffic congestion and give parents a dedicated and safe spot to pick up their children.

Oakleigh South Primary’s academic success and extra-curricular ­activities have been attributed to the huge expansion in enrolments.

The packed carpark at Oakleigh South Primary School. Picture: Jay Town

Last year it had 158 prep enrolments and 45 classes across the school.

Monash Council recently extended a permit zone to include Saturdays as students and community members flock to the school for extra-curricular activities including AusKick and Japanese school. No stopping zones are ­enforced outside the school between 8.30-9.30am and 3-4pm on school days. Restrictions on one side of nearby streets are also in place.

But Mrs Elford said the rules were rarely followed.

“Any caregiver of school-aged children will completely understand the frustration that pick up and drop off brings. People become a law unto themselves,” Mrs Elford said.

Parents have written to Monash Council to help with the problem.

Mayor Shane McCluskey said it was working with the school and Vic Roads to improve parking availability in the area after enrolment growth.

Monash mayor Shane McCluskey says the council is working with the school and Vic Roads on the issue. Picture: Supplied

Measures already introduced included banning right turns into Centre Rd to assist traffic flow.

But Cr McCluskey said the council had no jurisdiction over the parking area within the school, which was on Education Department property.

“It is a balance to provide parking opportunities for the school whilst also being mindful of residents who live in neighbouring streets and who want to be able to park outside their homes,” he said.

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