Principal and parents call for 40km/h zone outside Sacred Heart Catholic School at Geeveston
UPDATED: State Growth is sticking to its guns on the speed limit outside a Tasmanian primary school despite concerns being raised by the principal and parents.
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STATE Growth is sticking to its guns on the speed limit outside a Geeveston primary school despite concerns being raised by the principal and parents.
The only entrance to Sacred Heart Catholic School is located on a section of the Huon Highway with a permanent posted speed limit of 80km/h and no 40km/h school zones.
A State Growth spokesman told the Mercury previous investigations had found the 80km/h speed limit complied with the relevant Australian Standards.
The department’s steadfast position comes a day after it was announced new speed limits would be set on the South Arm Highway near Lauderdale Primary School.
“The reduction in speed limit at this location is due to an identified issue between vehicles travelling along the highway and the large number of students using the footpath,” the spokesman said.
“State Growth does not believe the same issue exists at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Geeveston. Sacred Heart Catholic School is away from the residential area and providing a lower speed limit is not currently being considered.”
Cherie Manning, who is the mother of seven-year-old Sacred Heart student Hollie Manning, told the Mercury action needed to be taken before any accidents or fatalities occurred.
“The entrance is on a blind corner and at peak times it is dangerous entering or leaving the premises and there have been countless near misses,” she said.
“It is unfair to our families and teachers to be at high risk of serious injury or death.
“Every other school has signs stating 40km/h and flashing lights, plus footpaths. Sacred Heart Catholic School must have these in place.
“It is simply a matter of someone making a sane decision to save a life or lives in the future.”
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Principal of seven years Luch Brighella said the issue had been raised with the Huon Valley Council and State Growth several times since his appointment to the top job.
Mr Brighella said he recognised Sacred Heart was on a highway but expected it to be treated the same way as any other school.
“We feel that it is a school zone and the speed limit should be reduced to 40km/h so that people are aware there are lots of children and families coming and going,” Mr Brighella said.
“The cars can whip out pretty quickly but the buses need a bit longer to get up to speed.
“If we were to have it reduced to at least 60km/h it would be consistent with people driving a little bit more safely.”
A State Growth spokesman said previous investigations found the 80km/h speed limit complied with the relevant Australian standards.
The department spokesman said although the school’s entrance was located on the inside of a curve, there was “adequate sight distance for drivers to see approaching vehicles”.
“Sacred Heart Catholic School is away from the residential area and providing a lower speed limit is not currently being considered,” he said.
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