Six years ago, advocacy began for a pedestrian underpass at Kialla West Primary School after a frightening accident that seriously injured a mother and her three daughters.
Finally, the Victorian Government has made a decision.
“An underpass is not a viable option,” Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne said.
This recent announcement follows state Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell raising the issue in parliament last month, urging Ms Horne to carry out the upgrades desperately needed for the safety of local students, staff and families.
“The community has spent six years pleading with the government to do something to improve pedestrian safety at the Kialla West Primary School crossing,” she said.
“The Labor government has constantly dragged its feet on this issue, perpetually delaying the project and refusing to release design plans.”
Ms Lovell said there had been no evidence of progress in the past six years to support the government’s claim that it was working with Greater Shepparton City Council and Regional Roads Victoria to find a solution.
She said the local community had also been kept in the dark about the project’s status.
Ms Horne did not propose any alternative solutions.
“It is just not good enough for the Labor government to ruin all hope for a pedestrian underpass without coming back with an alternative safety upgrade option,” Ms Lovell said.
“The school community deserves better.”