Plan splits council

By Nicole Williams
AN OFFER to fund a timed closure of Herbert Street during school hours has divided Dandenong councillors.
At Monday night’s council meeting, the option of a time controlled closure split the councillors with five supporting the new option and six preferring the keep the road open at all times.
Herbert Street in Dandenong was closed to all traffic last year in a trial because of safety concerns for students crossing between the two Dandenong High School campuses.
Since the council’s decision in January to keep the road open, the Education Department has written to the council indicating it would be prepared to fund a time controlled closure which would see Herbert Street closed to traffic only during school hours.
Councillor Youhorn Chea, Cr Brown, Cr Pinar Yesil, Cr Paul Donovan and Cr Roz Blades supported the motion to install time controlled bollards.
Cr Long, Cr Jim Memeti, Cr Maria Sampey, Cr Yvonne Herring, Cr Loi Truong and Cr John Kelly rejected the motion, preferring to install traffic lights.
Cr Angela Long said she thought the road should never have been closed and traffic lights were a more appropriate option, particularly for residents. “The Education Department didn’t consult council when they split the campuses and combined the school,” Cr Long said. “Why should our residents have to pay the penalty?”
Herbert Street residents said any closure was an inconvenience and the school had to take responsibility for the actions of the students.
Linda Meurs has lived on Herbert Street for nine years and said since the two campuses opened, students did not cross safely. “They need to educate the kids of road laws,” Ms Meurs said. “The kids don’t cross at the crossing – it’s up to the principal to educate the students on how to cross a road.”
Cr Peter Brown said he has spoken to the school and it was important to protect the students’ safety. “There is going to be so many students passing between that it is important to protect their safety,” Cr Brown said. “Six councillors who insist on keeping streets open have failed to keep over 1000 students safe.”
The council will now approach the Education Department to fund the traffic lights instead of time controlled bollards.