A Manor Lakes school has launched a petition calling for the construction of a key road in the area to be brought forward to alleviate safety concerns and congestion.
Ngarri Primary School has experiences rapid growth since it opened, with enrolments increasing from from 234 students in 2023 to about 870 students this year, with that number set to pass 1000 soon.
Despite the growth, there is just one road to access the school
Principal Honey Stirling is calling for the construction of Macarana Avenue to be completed early to help provide another access point to the school.
“Ultimately there is only one way in and one way out,” she said.
“We want to reduce some of the congestion areas.
“We’ve spoken to parents and they are just trying to drop off and get to their own jobs as quickly as they can.
“Safety is not the top priority. People are sitting there for a good half hour.“
Ms Stirling said the school has spoken with local residents as well, with some having to change when they leave for work to avoid the congestion.
The school launched the petition with support from the school council, because it believes opening Maracana Avenue is not just a convenience, it’s a necessity.
“We want the councillors to come out and sit in the traffic,“ Ms Stirling said.
A Wyndham council spokesperson said that the construction of Macarana Avenue fell under two different estates, Parkbrook estate and Winterset Lodge estate.
The spokesperson said both developers were meeting the obligations and confirmed the rest of the road would be built as part of stage 15 of the Winterset Lodge estate. It is currently at stage five.
“Ngarri Primary School has an allocated council school crossing supervisor that manages the school crossing before and after school to enable children, parents and carers to safely cross the road,“ the spokesperson said,
“As one of Australia’s largest and fastest growth councils, we know there will always be pressure points while development is occurring.“
Parkbrook estate’s Jeremy Vile said the developer has constructed half of its section of Macarena Avenue, with the balance under construction and due for completion later this year.
Winterset Lodge estate was contacted for comment.
