Gates remained closed at the end of the school day at a Deer Park primary school leaving parents frustrated and angry. 80141 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By NATALIE GALLENTI
PARENTS from a Deer Park primary school are angry after a decision was made by Brimbank Council and Victoria Police to close their school car park, forcing them to cross busy Ballarat Rd during peak hour traffic.
Parents from St Peter Chanel Primary School were left frustrated last week when the gates to the car park remained locked at the end of the school day, and they were forced to park in residential streets, many with parking restrictions, across the highway.
The parents were also shocked to see police at the gates and Brimbank Council parking inspectors patrolling neighbouring streets.
A Deer Park resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the scene at the end was quite “bizarre”, with cars parked illegally on the median strip of Ballarat Rd.
The resident said the sight of police officers and council workers outside the school was surprising.
“What’s next, calling the army?” the resident said.
Another outraged parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said threats had always been made that the car park would one day be closed due to parents parking on the service lane leading to the school grounds and banking up traffic on Ballarat Rd.
The parent said while she could understand the rationale behind closing the gate it seemed parents who had always done the right thing were now being punished.
“The school needs to punish the culprits, not the rest of the community,” she said.
The Deer Park resident said the closure was resulting in chaotic scenes in residential streets, with cars, including many four wheel drives, and children sharing the same area.
“Parents need to take extra care, the streets are full of kids and cars. You need to have 10 sets of eyes now.
“How can you build a school on a highway and not have adequate parking? I think the school is flexing its muscle and I think it’s selfish.”
The resident also accused Brimbank Council of “milking” the situation and raising revenue through parking infringements.
“Why didn’t they lift the parking laws? The council is milking the situation and will make a lot of money from it.”
Acting Principal Luisa Parissis said following a recommendation from VicRoads, Victoria Police and Brimbank Council, the school decided to trial the closure of the school car
park after 9.15 each morning for safety reasons.
“There has been ongoing community concern that some parents have been queuing along Ballarat Rd for long periods blocking other traffic creating a hazard, rather than waiting for pick up time to collect their child from school,” Ms Parissis said.
She said there will be further consultation with the school community once the
trial is over.
