Important boundary upgrades for school

Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne and Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes visited the school recently to announce $10 000 from the Flexible Local Transport Solutions Program to help build the fence.

The 250 metres of new fencing, along the eastern perimeter of St Mary’s College, will better protect the community and students from unsafe crossing of the rail line to and from the school grounds.

The state government has worked closely with the school’s principal Wayne Smith to increase safety and to help discourage potential unsafe crossing of the railway line within the vicinity of the school grounds.

Ms Horne said there were more and more trains using Seymour Station as the number of services was increased on the regional network.

“It’s important we do all we can to keep locals safe around the train line,” she said.

“This is a great example of what can be achieved when government and locals work together to improve safety around rail lines.”

Mr Smith said the funding would enable the college community to complete fencing around the school boundary to provide a safer environment for students.

“We are particularly grateful to Jaclyn Symes and the Victorian Government for their support,” he said.

“There are a lot of trains on the line near the school and we have a lot of young children. Child protection is paramount.

“There will be no disruptions for the school as we make the grounds as safe as possible for everyone.”

Member for Euroa Steph Ryan congratulated Mr Smith and the team at St Mary’s in Seymour for "continuing to push the state government" on the issue of the fence.

“Building a new boundary fence will make St Mary’s students safer at school,” she said.

“We had to work hard to break through the bureaucracy, after agencies refused to take responsibility for fencing the train line.

“I have met with the school several times to discuss their concerns about the lack of fencing on the east boundary of the school which abuts Whiteheads Creek.

“I wrote to V/Line’s chief executive James Pinder to ask him to help St Mary’s reach an agreement with V/Line."