Council secures funding for school safety upgrade

Council will deliver safety improvements to pedestrian facilities around a number of Blue Mountains schools, after securing $1.5 million funding from Transport for NSW’s Road Safety Program.

The improvements will include new infrastructure, as well as upgrades to existing infrastructure, such as raised pedestrian crossings, pedestrian refuges and new signage.

“Pedestrian safety around schools is a huge priority for this Council,” Mayor Cr Mark Greenhill said. “And we have sought funding for some time on many of these projects around the Blue Mountains.

“This funding will be spent on much-needed upgrades to ensure that our schoolchildren, and their parents and carers, remain safe when they travel to school each day.

“The funding for this infrastructure will also help support jobs and stimulate our local economy.”

Transport for NSW announced the funding under Round 2 of the School Zone Infrastructure SubProgram after Council applied for funding for the various projects throughout the Blue Mountains. 

The successful projects are:   

Project Name Project Description  Round 2 Funding Blackheath Public School – design and construct accessible parking space Design and construct accessible parking space for Blackheath Public School on Leichhardt St. $112,000 Katoomba High School – installation of new raised crossing Installation of a raised “wombat” full-time pedestrian crossing at Katoomba High School on Martin St, Katoomba. $154,000 Ellison Public School – upgrade of pedestrian refuge and pedestrian fencing Upgrade of existing non-compliant pedestrian refuge and installation of pedestrian fencing at Ellison Public School, on Hawkesbury Rd, Springwood. $91,000 Blaxland East Public School – upgrade of existing pedestrian crossing to a raised crossing Upgrade of existing pedestrian crossing to a raised “wombat” crossing on Old Bathurst Rd at Blaxland East Public School.   $154,000 Blaxland East Public School – upgrade of existing pedestrian refuge Upgrade of existing non-compliant pedestrian refuge at 9 Rusden Rd, Blaxland, located along a walking route to Blaxland East Public School.    $70,000 GWS Service Road (near Blaxland High School) – upgrade of existing pedestrian crossing to a raised crossing  Upgrade of existing pedestrian crossing to a raised “wombat” crossing and renewal of adjacent road surface and drainage associated with the crossing, located along a walking route to Blaxland High School.    $170,800 Lapstone Public School – upgrade of existing crossing to a raised crossing  Upgrade of Lapstone Public School existing pedestrian crossing to a raised “wombat” crossing on Explorers Rd, Lapstone.    $154,000 Leura Public School – upgrade of existing pedestrian crossing to a raised crossing Upgrade of existing pedestrian crossing to a raised “wombat” crossing on Mount Hay Rd at Leura Public School.    $154,000 Springwood Public School – renewal of existing raised crossing Renewal of existing raised pedestrian crossing at Springwood Public School on Burns Rd, Springwood.    $154,000 Winmalee High School – installation of new pedestrian refuge Installation of new pedestrian refuge on Hawkesbury Rd near Winmalee High School.   $70,000 $70,000 Glenbrook Public School – upgrade of pedestrian safety west of the school   Installation of new footpath to connect to existing footpath near Glenbrook Pre-School, and 8 new kerb ramps. Construction of new pick up and drop off zone on Peel St, and associated kerb and guttering and signage at Glenbrook Public School.  $271,250  

​​​​​Work on these projects will commence as soon as Council has selected the relevant contractors and must be complete by 30 April, 2022, in accordance with the funding terms.