THE State Government has ruled out a pedestrian underpass to improve safety at Kialla West Primary School, ending community hopes and leaving the school and families in the dark over any future upgrades.
Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell spoke in parliament last month to note that September 10, 2024, would mark six years since the accident at the crossing that seriously injured a mother and her three daughters.
Since the accident, the State Government has not made any serious effort to improve safety at the crossing.
Ms Lovell urged the Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne to finally carry out the substantial safety upgrades that are so desperately needed to the pedestrian crossing at Kialla West Primary School.
However, Minister Horne recently responded to announce that the government has determined “an underpass is not a viable option”, but disappointingly she has not proposed any alternative solutions.
“The state Labor government has constantly dragged its feet on this issue, perpetually delaying the project and refusing to release design plans. After six years, Labor have now admitted that the underpass won’t go ahead,” said Ms Lovell.
“The school, families, and the local community have spent six years pleading with the government to do something to improve pedestrian safety at the Kialla West Primary School crossing.”
During the last six years the state Labor government has continuously claimed to be working with Greater Shepparton City Council and Regional Roads Victoria to identify solutions for the crossing, but without any evidence of progress.
“It is just not good enough for the Allan Labor Government to ruin all hope for a pedestrian underpass, without coming back with an alternative safety upgrade option. The school community deserves better.”
