Schools in Yass have received funding to improve pedestrian safety.
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Yass Public School, Berinba Public School, Gundaroo Public School and Mt Carmel School will receive funding that will be used to improve pedestrian safety.
The funding boost comes after Yass Valley Council was successful in its application for $871,306 grant from the Federal and NSW Governments' 2021-22 School Zone Infrastructure Sub-Program.
Yass Public School will receive $530,000 which will be used to increase car parking including separate teacher parking. The school also plans to install a 'kiss and drop' zone and relocate bus stop with safety barriers to Laidlaw Street.
A total of $213,306 will be allocated to Berinba Public School. The funds will help in installing 450 metres of shared pathway between Morton Avenue and Church Street and safe pedestrian crossings at intersections.
The Gundaroo Public School will receive $64,000 which will be used to install pedestrian refuge in front of the school, install 'kiss and drop zone' and disabled car park and relocate the bus stop.
Yass Catholic School, Mt Carmel will recieve $64,000 which will be used to upgrade the children's crossing and hire a crossing supervisor.
Local Traffic Committee Chair, Councillor Jasmin Jones, welcomed the funding and commended the proposed works designed to enhance safety for children and parents.
"It is deeply satisfying to see significant funds secured to address the community's top safety concerns around many of our local schools," Cr Jones said.
Yass Valley Council, Transport for NSW and the local community have been advocating for funding to improve the student drop-off and pick-up zone at Yass Public School for more than ten years.
"Both the community and council never gave up on this problem and have been working together towards this result for some time. The safety concerns raised by parents, bus drivers and the school principal have guided every attempt by Council to engage with the then Roads and Maritime Services and now Transport for NSW to bring about a safer design," Cr Jones said.
Yass Public School Principal Michelle Fahey said staff and families were really excited by the funding and relieved students would be safe now and into the future.
"The Yass Public School car park has become increasingly busy as our school population has grown by a third in the past few years. Morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up will be very positively impacted by the newly announced, successful School Zone Infrastructure Sub-Program," Mrs Fahey said.
Mrs Fahey said the school and council worked together to find the best option to ease traffic problems for families, pedestrians and buses trying to use the drop-off and pick-up zone at the same time.
"The council has come up with a great plan for improving the shared zones and has secured the funding to complete the project," Mrs Fahey said.
The school upgrades will take place between January 1 and June 30, 2022.
