Northern Victoria Region
Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (12:42): (555) My constituency question is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport, and it regards the treacherous route that students from the Providence Field housing estate in North Shepparton must take to access their nearest school bus stop. Recently a young constituent from Harvard Drive reached out to me, expressing her distress over the danger posed to her and other students who must make the dangerous trek each day. Students are first confronted with crossing the busy Goulburn Valley Highway. They are then forced to walk along the highway and continue down Grace Road to the bus stop. There is no footpath on either side of the highway or Grace Road, and with the closeness of motor vehicles travelling at up to 80 kilometres per hour, all it will take is for one tiny mistake and the fear these students have will be realised in a devastating way. With summer just around the corner, students will also be at risk due to the rise of snake movement on the sides of the roads. My question is: will the minister ensure a school bus stop is located closer to the Providence Field housing estate to ensure the safety of these students?
The PRESIDENT: Before I call the next constituency question, can I acknowledge previous member of this chamber Jenny Mikakos in the gallery.