Upwey South Preschool parent and car parking coordinator David Sporle and son Cody look forward to the upgrade to the school car park.By Ed Merrison
PARENTS of Upwey South Preschool children breathed a sigh of relief as the Shire of Yarra Ranges approved an upgrade for the school car park.
The plan was finalised in a meeting between the shire and the preschool’s committee of management on Friday, 4 November.
The shire’s capital works program had allocated a $20,000 grant for the plan under the 2005-06 budget.
The funds will see the gravel car park of the pre-school and adjacent Maternal Child Health Centre sealed and line-marked by December.
Preschool car parking coordinator David Sporle said he was pleased the car park would finally be made safe after the issue had been raised sporadically with the council over the past nine years.
“It is a relief.
“It’s been causing no end of problems and has actually been quite dangerous with the loose gravel. There have been a couple of falls,” Mr Sporle said.
Mr Sporle said the design would also solve the issue of gravel washing into the drains, blocking them and causing the building to flood, as has happened twice in the last three years.
The new design will give the school a total of 17 car spaces for parents and teachers, plus staff and visitors to the neighbouring child health centre.
The shire’s manager of civil development services Mark Varmalis said the sealed surface and clearly defined spaces was a good outcome for the school, and would be helpful for parents with prams.
“It’s all come together nicely,” he said.
Mr Sporle said the committee of management was thankful for the shire’s help in resolving the issue and for carrying out the upgrade during school holidays to avoid disruption.
