Council creating safer school zones for children

Townsville City Council is working to enhance safety around three local schools.

Council is improving pathways around Heatley and Bohlevale state schools as well as Townsville Grammar School in North Ward using funding from the Queensland School Transport Infrastructure Program.

Deputy Mayor and Infrastructure Services Committee Chair Cr Mark Molachino said Council crews were making great progress at Heatley.

“We’re installing a 350 metres long, full width concrete footpath at Heatley State School along Fulham Road and Mill Drive,” Cr Molachino said.

“The aged asphalt footpath outside the school had cracking in areas and tree roots had lifted some of the asphalt, so this will improve the area a lot.”

Local Councillor Kurt Rehbein said parents and students will welcome the improvements.

"The streets around Heatley State School are busy at peak times and this project will help make the area safer for kids,” Cr Rehbein said.

“Safe school zones are a high priority for Council and the Queensland Government so I would like to thank the State Government for providing more than $380,000 to make these improvements possible in Heatley”

Cr Molachino said work to upgrade the pathways at Bohlevale State School and Townsville Grammar would start in the near future.

“We have funding to make improvements near the Bohlevale school on Chesney Road and Garland Road,” Cr Molachino said.

“The works will replace the existing asphalt surface with a concrete pathway thanks to $732,000 of funding from the School Transport Infrastructure Program.”

“Council will also be installing two new footpaths and a pedestrian refuge island outside Townsville Grammar on Landsborough Street.

“The refuge island will make it safer for students, parents and staff to access the school when crossing Landsborough Street by foot at the Paxton St intersection.”