Echuca East Primary School wins battle for crossing supervisor

Data from new traffic counts by the council in November and December last year found the crossing qualified for a supervisor for the 2021/22 financial year.

“Our students’ safety was put at risk every day once the crossing was left unsupervised,” Echuca East Primary School acting principal Lindy Burke said.

“Eyre St can be a very busy street, with cars speeding past; many unaware of the risks.

“Only last week, we received dash-cam footage from a community member of a near miss between a car and some of our students.”

The school has been in contact with the council since it announced the crossing would be closed, meeting with council members, writing letters and creating protest placards.

“The school was waiting to hear back from the shire, after wanting to challenge the data, as our own counts indicated that we were indeed within the funding criteria,” Ms Burke said.

“It is a relief that finally common sense prevails.”

For the past 12 months, school staff ensured the crossing flags went out each day and kept an eye on their students crossing the road on their way to and from school.

“I am sure that on the first day of Term 3 our kids will be over the moon when they are greeted by the return of their very special crossing supervisor, Michelle,” Ms Burke said.

The school crossing at Edward St, Rochester, which services Rochester Primary School and Rochester Secondary College, was also closed last year by council.

According to acting general manager community Kate Lemon, data from the end of last year for the crossing fell short of the minimum required for a supervisor.

The data for both schools was submitted to the state Department of Transport, which notified the council of the outcome last week.

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