General News
13 May, 2025
Student safety concerns on the agenda
Student safety concerns were discussed at the Horsham Rural City Council Listening Post on Tuesday, May 6, to address pick-up and drop-off congestion at the Horsham West Primary School.
May Park Ward councillor, Cr Cam McDonald mc'd the meeting.
Organised by community member Mr John Flynn, the meeting attracted about 30 people, with residents the majority.
Mr Flynn said he had drawn the council's attention to the need for change after years of observation of the area, which had increased as the community had grown.
Cr McDonald welcomed those attending and commended Mr Flynn for his persistence in having his concerns heard.
"Council has made some changes since Mr Flynn brought it to my attention during my campaign for the 2024 council elections and as your ward councillor, I am happy to facilitate this Listening Post.
"Our staff has repainted the five-minute parking signs which had become faded and now we want to hear from the community about additional concerns and ideas," he said.
Cr McDonald opened the meeting up for suggestions and questions. He asked people to give their first name and identify if they were a resident, parent, or staff member.
Mr Flynn said he was pleased people had supported the meeting, but said he was disappointed more parents had not attended.
He outlined the proposal he had prepared, which he thought would address the safety aspect of the students' primarily and in turn would address, also, the congestion which caused residents inconvenience.
He identified that of the two streets used as drop-off and pick-up points there was only one school crossing and this area was also the bus drop-off and pick-up point, which added to the traffic build up.
"With the development behind the school, there will be an increase in people and traffic, and I think this needs to be addressed sooner rather than later before a tragedy occurs," he said.
His proposal included the purchase of land adjoining the school, which is currently being developed and create a road to circle the school, reducing the buildup of traffic.
Mr Flynn said he was very pleased with the interest shown by HRCC councillors who attended and the outcome of the meeting.
On Thursday, Peter Netherway arrived at the school to pick up his sons Thomas and Eddy and could only find a space to park in a no-parking zone due to the buildup of vehicles.
"I have to park here, stay in my car with the motor running so I can move off I need to and I wait for my sons in the car when I'd like to go to the school yard and walk out to the car with them,"he said.
"I dread pick-up time just because I know I won't be able to get a park.
"Parents who are not working park in the street from 2.30pm onwards and gather at the school," he said.
"They tend to fill the parking spaces, and there are no parks for those of us who come at 3pm."
Amanda O'Neil said her sons, aged 11 and 8, both have special needs and this caused them to be excited at the end of the day and it was a struggle to get them into the car amongst the traffic.
Mr Netherway and Ms O'Neil had high praise for the school but said parking and traffic management needed to be addressed as soon as possible.
Residents shared many examples of driveways blocked and being unable to access or exit their properties due to cars parked on footpaths, across driveways, and in prohibited zones.
Cr McDonald said the council would investigate some of the 'kiss and go' models used around the state and see if they would be appropriate to implement at the Horsham West Primary.
These limit stationary parking and create a flow of traffic at the drop off time.
Mr Flynn has outlined his ideas in a Letter to the Editor on Page 2 of this publication.
