Move to stop fog dangers- Authorities are investigating ways to make the Gembrook Primary Scho

By Melissa Grant
THICK fog is putting Gembrook Primary students’ safety at risk as it clouds their school crossing.
Authorities are examining ways to improve visibility at the crossing after parents expressed concerns about their children’s wellbeing.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato has written to Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas and Cardinia Shire Council asking them to investigate measures to better highlight the crossing.
Ms Lobato said the school’s crossing supervisor had been in danger recently because the visibility was so bad in extreme fog despite the 40km/h speed limit.
“When it’s foggy you can’t see,” she said. “They’re looking at ways to highlight the crossing more.”
The Cardinia Shire Council is upgrading advance warning signage to the crossing by replacing existing signage with new fluoro yellow-green signs.
The council has also provided an illuminated stop bat that can be used during decreased visibility but WorkSafe will consider how appropriate it will be.
In a letter to Ms Lobato, the council’s general manager assets and services Michael Ellis said the council wouldn’t provide Eflare beacons and other illuminated signage at this time.
Mr Pallas said VicRoads was investigating options to improve visibility at the crossing in foggy conditions.
Gembrook Primary School principal Kym Peterson said the school community would welcome any improvements. “We want to make the crossing as safe as possible,” she said.