School parking plan

By Shaun Inguanzo
MINARET College has revealed its plan for school parking in the wake of residents’ concerns last week that parents illegally parking on nearby streets were a safety concern.
The Star reported that residents near Lewis Street, Springvale, were upset over the way parents picking-up and dropping-off students near Minaret College were blocking the narrow street and causing safety concerns.
The school this week unveiled its new 54-space parking lot and new drop off point along Birch Street.
Principal Mohamed Hassan said said the school was sensitive to parking issues, but added that increased traffic volumes around pick-up and drop-off times were no different from any other school.
School facilities manager Fouad Amin said the school’s aim was to divert traffic away from the narrow Lewis Street with letters sent to parents encouraging them to turn left out of Birch Street and follow Burden Street to Whitworth Avenue, then Springvale Road.
Mr Hassan said the school had also purchased two homes along Birch Street, adjoining school property, that it would demolish and replace with parking lots if necessary.
He said the school would organise an informal meeting with residents to explain the plan and hear feedback, later this year.
“We will invite the neighbours over for a cup of tea and explain to them our plans,” Mr Hassan said.
Mr Amin added that the school was in support of council officers booking parents who failed to observe local parking laws.