Council reinstates supervision at Nagambie school crossing

STRATHBOGIE Shire Council has voted to reinstate a school crossing supervisor at Goulburn Street, Nagambie, for Terms 1 and 2 of 2025. The decision follows concerns raised by the principal of Nagambie Primary School, who had been personally managing the crossing, and broader feedback from the community. The motion was unanimously supported by councillors. Councillor Fiona Stevens, who moved the motion, emphasised the importance of addressing safety concerns. She acknowledged the principal’s dedication but said a more professional approach was necessary. “The principal’s efforts in stepping in to supervise the crossing reflect how strongly the school community feels about this issue," said Cr Stevens. "But that approach isn’t sustainable, and we need to take professional control of the situation. “The area isn’t just about how many people walk across that crossing. "It’s about the whole precinct. "It’s about the parking. "It’s about the vehicular movements. "It’s about the pedestrian movements. "It’s about the road use. "It’s a major road that goes to the industrial area and big trucks come out of there. “This is a changing environment, and it has changed significantly since this decision was made by the previous council.” “So, for all these reasons, we need to revisit this. "We need to get hold of the Education Department's forward planning for the next five to fifteen years and just see what is planned for the growth of Nagambie in this area. "And we need to put in mitigations and safety measures, not just for now, but into the future as well.” The crossing supervision will start at the beginning of the 2025 school year and continue until the end of Term 2. The costs, estimated at $18,000, will be considered during council’s mid-year budget review. Council officers have also been tasked with preparing a report for May 2025. The report will outline options for the crossing’s future management, including service levels, risks, and costs. It will also consider the growing needs of Nagambie. The Goulburn Street crossing, located on a busy municipal road, was left unsupervised after the previous council exited the School Crossing Supervision Program in 2023. The Department of Transport and Planning assumed responsibility for crossings on state-managed roads but did not cover Goulburn Street.