pedscross_85103_42.jpg: Waiting to cross: St John the Baptist Primary School assistant principal Justin Greenwood, Ben Gwynne, assistant principal at the Kooweerup Secondary College, Peter Smith from Project Specific, Craig Font, the president of the Kooweerup Primary School council. In the front row: Flinders MP Greg Hunt, Sue van Gaal, Peter Stevens and Geoff Stokes from the township committee. 85103 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Danielle Galvin
REPRESENTATIVES from the three schools in Kooweerup say they fear for the safety of their students in the fight for a safe pedestrian crossing in Station Street.
Representatives from the township committee and the local schools came together on Monday to talk to Flinders MP Greg Hunt about the need for a traffic signalled-crossing.
They fear the worst will happen before VicRoads takes action.
Kooweerup Primary School council president Craig Font said the crossing was “just not safe.”
“Basically, we’re not happy with the safety element of this pseudo-crossing that they’ve come up with,” he said.
“It’s not safe for the Kooweerup community and with the increase in heavy vehicles in the town, it’s just going to get worse.
“We fear for the safety of our kids.”
Mr Font said the situation was “ludicrous” and that the issue had been raised with the school council.
“We have been pro-active and want to highlight (the issue),” he said.
St John the Baptist Primary School assistant principal Justin Greenwood also met with the group to discuss his school’s concerns and use of the existing traffic island.
“One of the biggest issues for us is the location to the corner of Moody Street,” he said.
“After school, there really are no safe options for the children to cross – there’s no lollipop ladies or lights.”
Kooweerup Secondary College assistant principal Ben Gwynne said part of the problem was caused by busloads of students heading to Pakenham each day.
“At 3.30pm, there’s 150 or so kids around – and there’s just no safe place for them to cross,” he said.
“In the past, Kooweerup hasn’t been used to this much traffic.”
Mr Gwynne said parents at the college had expressed their concern about the issue.
He said most of the kids walked up to Woolworths through the back streets rather than walking down Rossiter Road. Many avoided the main street when they could.
“Our school has grown,” he said. “We now have 1100 kids and (the number of) those coming from Pakenham has also increased.
“In the past 18 months, we’ve had a lot more kids floating around, with a lot more potential for danger.”
Flinders MP Greg Hunt spoke with the group about their concerns and said there was a plan of action in place to help push for a safer crossing.
“We’ll keep fighting until we get it (the problem) solved,” Mr Hunt said.
Anita Curnow, VicRoads Acting Regional Director of the metro south east said that the pedestrian refuge and kerb constructed on Station Street reduces the overall crossing distance and enables pedestrians to cross in two stages.
“Cardinia Shire Council issued the planning permit for the Woolworths development in Koo Wee Rup, including the condition that a pedestrian crossing be constructed on Station Street,” Ms Curnow said.
“VicRoads and Council worked with the developer and agreed that a pedestrian island was the best option for the crossing, meeting the permit condition.”
Ms Curnow said the construction of the $65 million Kooweerup bypass would greatly reduce traffic volumes, particularly of heavy vehicles, through the town. “Based on these pedestrian safety improvements and the pedestrian safety record, there are currently no plans to install a pedestrian crossing at this location,” she said.
“VicRoads will continue to monitor the safety and operation of Station Street, Kooweerup.”