By CASEY NEILL
A FOOTPATH to allow Keysborough students a safe walk to school could still be three years away.
But a temporary solution for Mt Hira College is now on the cards.
City of Greater Dandenong started building a footpath on Perry Road between Greens Road and Parkmore Shopping Centre on 5 August which is due to be completed by the end of October.
But it will not continue over Greens Road to Mt Hira College, to principal Patricia Gay’s frustration.
“More and more of our families are living in the new housing development and many could walk to school but don’t because it is not safe,” she said.
“It is really not a very long stretch.
“I’m terrified because of all the cars and trucks flying up Perry Road.
“There’s such a problem with obesity at the moment and unfit kids.
“They only live 500 metres up the road but they can’t walk to school because there’s no footpath.”
Ms Gay met with City of Greater Dandenong planners last week.
“They say they can’t construct a permanent footpath until the road has been re-built and this could take one to three years,” she said.
“But I have asked about a more temporary one and they are going to cost it and let us know.”
The council’s acting engineering services director Oliver Vido said he was working with the school towards a short term solution.
He said the council had investigated constructing the shared path between Greens Road and Mt Hira College before the road works were carried out.
“This was not considered feasible as it would need to be replaced once Perry Road is reconstructed,” he said.
