Council makes tough decision to continue fight for equitable school crossing program

Strathbogie Shire Council is sending a strong message to the Victorian Government Department of Transport and Planning to step up and deliver the School Crossing Supervision Program to ensure the safety of local kids.

At its March meeting Council resolved to exit the school crossing program, which is costing ratepayers about $50,000 each year to deliver, despite it being a Victorian Government responsibility.

“The safety of our children walking to and from school is more than just a priority for Strathbogie Shire Council – it’s non-negotiable,” Mayor, Cr Laura Binks said.

“This is why we have been paying for and delivering the School Crossing Supervision Program on behalf of the Department of Transport and Planning.

“It’s a program that has been keeping our children safe for many years and we’re proud of our school crossing supervisors who are greatly valued by schools, parents and children.”

However, Cr Binks said there was part of the School Crossing Supervision Program that was not fair.

“Council pays about 62 per cent of the program costs to deliver this Victorian Government service,” she said.

“In Strathbogie Shire this means Council – and our ratepayers – are spending about $50,000 a year to deliver a service that is not ours – it’s the responsibility of the Victorian Government.

“This situation is being faced by all Councils, and together with 28 other local government areas across the state we have been advocating to seek the restoration of funding for this critical service.”

The advocacy campaign, led by the City of Monash, has attracted strong attention, but despite every effort there has been no commitment from the Victorian Government to a fully funded and fully indexed program and efforts to meet with the responsible Minister have been unsuccessful.

“We’re now at a loss,” Cr Binks said.

“We’re at the point where we think exiting the service is the only way we will get the attention of the department.

“We are serious about finding financial savings for our ratepayers, while also ensuring this essential service continues to be delivered by the responsible State Government department to keep our children safe.”

Council manages five school crossing sites across the municipality, four of these on Victorian Government managed roads. The only school crossing located on a Council managed road is on Goulburn Street in Nagambie.

In 2016 The Victorian Government committed to undertaking a broad strategic review of the program.

This has not occurred. There has been no innovation or review since the program’s inception in 1975.

Council will continue to manage its legislated responsibility to inspect, maintain and repair the school crossing infrastructure, which includes signage and road markings.