Ms Cleeland said the meeting ended with both excellent and concerning news.
“Thanks to powerful community advocacy, the state government has guaranteed funding for school crossing supervisors on all the state-run roads within the Strathbogie Shire for the foreseeable future,” Ms Cleeland said.
This includes roads near St John’s Euroa, Euroa Primary, St Joseph’s Nagambie and Avenel Primary School.
Despite this, school crossings on council-run roads, such as at Nagambie Primary School, will not be included in the government funding.
In March 2023, Strathbogie Shire Council decided to exit the School Crossing Supervision Program, asserting that it was the Victorian Government’s responsibility to step up and deliver the program.
“This just leaves the crossing at Nagambie Primary School without funding, due to it operating on a council-run road and therefore falling under council’s responsibilities,” Ms Cleeland said.
“It’s been incredibly disappointing that the Strathbogie Shire administrator has refused to review the decision and fund this crossing despite incredible community advocacy.”
In February 2024, Nagambie Primary School principal Rob French nearly got hit by a speeding car while in high-vis and holding a stop sign.
Ms Cleeland said she had asked on multiple occasions that council fund this crossing, with the relatively small cost it would take being worthwhile to prevent the potential danger to children.
“There is no reason why these students shouldn’t be kept safe too, and it is imperative that the Strathbogie Shire Council recognises this and provides the necessary funding,” she said.
“With the school crossing requiring less than $15,000 of council funding to operate, it is foolish not to fund the supervisor and makes no sense to me as to why this hasn’t already been resolved.
“It is so important that the administrator recognises how important this decision is to our local community due to the potential dangers that children could face without supervision.”
Ms Cleeland said she hoped meetings between council and the minister could result in a positive outcome that would keep children safe.
