Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke wants residents in Young to know she is fighting for the smallest of her constituents by shining a light on school zones.
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Ms Cooke said the spotlight is on NSW’s most precious pedestrians, with the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey this week making changes to parking offences around schools.
The changes to some parking offence penalties under the Road Transport Legislation Amendment Regulation 2017 come as the NSW Government hits a major milestone in its $10 million school infrastructure program.
Ms Cooke has welcomed the changes to legislation which included seven new school zone offences and the loss of extra demerit points.
“The safety of our children is paramount, which is why we worked with a number of organisations to review parking penalties,” Ms Cooke said.
The offences include obstruct access to a ramp/path/passageway, stop on/near children or pedestrian crossing, and stopping within 10 metres of an intersection without traffic lights.
“Wherever there are schools, there will be cars, that’s an inescapable part of life,” Ms Cooke said.
“Many students are brought to school by car, and many schools are on or near busy roads.
“These changes to parking offences will make sure that students across the Cootamundra electorate will be safer than ever.”
Ms Cooke said since 2013 there have been no pedestrian deaths in an operational NSW school zone.
“We want to keep it that way.”
Minister Pavey said the changes come into force as the NSW Government completes a third of its school infrastructure program.
“Over the past two years the NSW Government invested $10 million into school infrastructure, with $5 million invested into school flashing lights, the other $5 million into infrastructure,” Mrs Pavey said.
“This infrastructure work has included implementing raised crossings, line markings, fencing and kerb extensions as well as building pedestrian refuges.”