The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has welcomed the decision of the newly elected Strathbogie Shire Council to revisit funding the school crossing supervisor program.
The previous council controversially made the decision to exit the program in March last year, claiming that the program should instead be covered in its entirety by the State Government.
The crossings on state-operated roads at St John’s Primary School in Euroa, Euroa Primary, Avenel Primary, and St Joseph’s Catholic School in Nagambie all later received supervision following State Government involvement – with just the Nagambie Primary School, which operates on a council road, left without funding for supervisors.
After a unanimous vote in the council meeting earlier this month, Strathbogie Shire will re-assess the situation, with plans to reintroduce supervisors at Nagambie Primary School’s Goulburn Street crossing in the new year.
Ms Cleeland said all crossings in the electorate needed to be funded to ensure children are kept safe as they enter and leave their schools.
“Funding disputes between our councils and the State Government were not helping anyone, and instead put the safety of our children at risk,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Conversations I had with community members made it clear that this was something worth fighting for.
“I had spoken with school staff, students, parents, council representatives, and concerned residents, as well as raised the issue in Parliament, asking for a resolution of this issue and it is so pleasing to see this issue readdressed by the newly elected council.
“I look forward to seeing more actions like this from the council as they rebuild trust in the community following a disastrous period of council monitors, councillor suspensions, and frustration from local ratepayers.”
Ms Cleeland thanked Nagambie Primary School principal, Rob French, for his incredible work advocating for the safety of children in the region.
