Wyndham council is calling on the state government to pick up more of the tab for the shared cost of school crossings.
The School Crossing Supervisor Program is a partnership between councils and the state government.
Under the model, each local government operates the program within its boundaries while the state government provides a subsidy and is responsible for the overarching program.
Mayor Mia Shaw said that council is happy to support the program, but cost shifting is making it harder to do so.
“Like most councils across Victoria, Wyndham supports the role of school crossing supervisors by funding the School Crossing Supervisor Program around school zones,” Cr Shaw said.
“At Wyndham, the program costs on average $4.1 million annually, with $1.3 million being allocated by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to deliver the program.“
She said that the outlay from the state government had been consistently dwindling in the last few years.
“The original nature of the school crossing program was a partnership with a 50-50 funding model between council and the state government.”
Cr Shaw said the current funding allocated by the state government is closer to a 70-30 split in funding.
“This funding does not cover the comprehensive costs of commissioning and delivering school crossings, including staff salaries and associated expenses.
“Council is covering a substantial deficit against the intended funding model.”
Deputy mayor Josh Gilligan slammed the state government, claiming that it was neglecting child safety by withdrawing funding.
“Child safety doesn’t just end with childcare reform,” Cr Gilligan said.
“The state is putting kids at risk at schools by short-changing millions for school crossings at a time when we’re seeing a local record number of kids going to school.
“Families will start to feel the impacts of record state debt and trade-offs like child safety so those living in the east can get gold plated infrastructure like the Suburban Rail Loop“.
Star Weekly previously reported that the funding split of school crossings will be one of the four key motions Wyndham will present to a body of other councils in October.
The Department of Transport and Planning was contacted for comment.
