Thursday, 8 February 2024

 Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Jobs and Industry, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Minister for Women) (09:57): I rise to bring to your attention in the house a serious matter of child safety in my electorate of Sydenham. The education precinct along Becca Way and Lancefield Drive in Caroline Springs and the City of Melton is home to a number of schools, including a kindergarten and maternal and child health centre. It is a very close-knit community; however, for staff, students and parents the school day begins and ends with a fear for children’s safety due to a lack of traffic management and poor planning at the drop-off and pick-up zones in this area. Melton council have made a few small improvements; however, I have heard from many parents and staff at the local schools that the zones are ineffective.

In term 4 last year an incident occurred between two parents involving a near miss, and unfortunately police were called. A parent, Karen, has written to me saying:

My seven-year-old son confidently rides his bike to school; however, I’m always fearful something will happen to him because of the dangerous traffic flow issues. So far, the Council hasn’t been doing enough to take the safety of our children seriously.

I have concerns for the whole precinct. I call on Melton council to deliver better safety infrastructure in the area. The school community really does need urgent and proactive action. We must work together to find a solution before a serious, fatal incident occurs.