Students at a Catholic college on the New South Wales Far South Coast will soon be able to walk to school for the first time, after a 32-year misunderstanding with the local council. Source: ABC News.
Carroll College in Broulee banned students from walking or cycling to school in 1994 in response to a motion passed by council prohibiting pedestrian or cycle access for students due to concerns about traffic.
In March, the school approached the Eurobodalla Shire Council asking for permission to overturn the restriction.
However, during discussions with council, the school representatives were informed the motion had never been legally enforceable.
“It wasn’t placed into the development conditions that come under our development consent,” Moruya Parish Priest Father Joshua Scott said.
“That means it would not be enforceable, but we, as a college, were under the impression it was enforceable.”
“[The discussions] allowed us to have hope that, after 30 years, this misunderstanding was able to be rectified.”
Carroll College principal Andrew Kenneally said the ban was based on an “interpretation” of the consent conditions.
At a recent council meeting, the prohibition was rescinded and council approved a six-month trial allowing students to walk and ride to school.
Mr Kenneally said the school wants to work with council to make sure it moves forward in a safe way.
The new trial will require students to cross the road at a pedestrian refuge 600 metres south of the school. A permanent solution will then be discussed, such as a pedestrian crossing at the front gate.
FULL STORY
Students at coastal secondary college get ready to walk to school for the first time (By Jacinta Counihan, ABC News)