‘How can they agree and say, “yes, it’s unsafe”, but then tell us to wait five years?’
ROADS and walking tracks to Moorabool schools need more council funding, according to residents who spoke at a budget submissions hearing.
Moorabool Council received seven written submissions, with residents calling for the widening of Bennetts Lane in Coimadai and funding for a shared pathway from Lal Lal Primary School to the Midland Highway. The council heard the dangerous stretch was riddled with heavy truck traffic.
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Resident Tonia Dudzik said safer roads around schools had to be a priority.
She said a 142-signature petition calling for Bennetts Lane, leading to Coimadai Primary School, to be widened and improved was submitted to the council in 2010. The council duly added the widening of a curve and crest in the road to its long-term works program, which is prioritised annually, but no funding was earmarked for it in its recent budget.
“They said they would commit $60,000 as a safety initiative,” Ms Dudzik said. “That crest in the road is a high-risk vehicle collision area, and they promised us in 2010 to have it done within five years.
“How can they agree and say, ‘yes, it’s unsafe’ but then tell us to wait five years?”
Bacchus Marsh’s Tina Seirlis, who also spoke at the meeting, said she backed council plans for an Avenue of Honour walking trail project.
Peter Matters called for the proposed Bacchus Marsh Aquatic Centre to be built sooner given that funding had been sought from state and federal governments.
Under the council’s 2012-13 draft budget, rates will increase by an average of 6per cent, which is expected to generate $37.3million in revenue for the shire. Submissions will be considered at tomorrow night’s council meeting.
