BRISBANE COUNCIL DROPS BALL ON SCHOOL DROP OFF ZONES

Education Minister Kate Jones has called on the Brisbane City Council (BCC) not to renege on their long-standing commitment to ensuring the safety of students around school drop off zones.

Ms Jones urged the BCC not to back away from their responsibilities around school drop off zones in Queensland Parliament today ahead of a meeting with Council’s Infrastructure Chairperson, Cr Amanda Cooper.

“Today I will be meeting with Cr Cooper to discuss school drop off zones and parking areas at state schools, as she has written to me outlining the BCC’s proposal to withdraw from the existing and long-standing funding arrangements,” Ms Jones said.

“The State Government and Brisbane City Council have a long history of working together in a bi-partisan way to provide Drop and Go Zones at state schools.

“These arrangements have been well-respected across all sides of politics, even during changes to Council and State leadership over the past two decades.

“Under the long-standing 50:50 funding arrangement, Brisbane City Council is responsible for ownership, maintenance, design and feasibility for the Drop and Go Zones.

“The State Government supports all local government authorities to construct school transport infrastructure, through the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).

“Through this initiative, the State and local governments each contribute 50% towards the costs.

“That’s why I can’t understand why Brisbane’s LNP Council wants to walk away from the agreement, which has been in place since the late 1990s.”

Ms Jones said it was disappointing Brisbane City Council was attempting to push their responsibilities around school drop off and pick up zones to the State.

“Our schools are in the business of delivering quality education for students, not managing traffic issues," she said.

“The responsibility for local traffic and road safety on local roads around our schools rests with Brisbane City Council.

“I urge Cr Cooper and Lord Mayor Graham Quirk not to shirk their responsibility on school drop off zones, because the safety of our students is far too important to play politics with.”

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