COUNCIL INVESTIGATES THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

A RIVERLAND council has recently secured $30,000 worth of state funding to investigate the potential for improved access and safer movement surrounding two Berri schools – however, it hopes the State Government will “commit” to any infrastructure upgrade identified through the assessment.

Berri Barmera Council was recently successful in obtaining a Department of Transport and Infrastructure (DIT) grant, which will enable a transport consultant to assess the area around Berri Regional Secondary College and Riverland Special School and provide concept level designs, along with cost estimates for priority actions.

Berri Barmera Council Mayor Ella Winnall said the growing number of students accessing the schools in Berri “highlighted the importance of having safe and accessible connections”.

“We want to see our local schools continue to thrive and making sure students, families and school staff can safely access these important facilities is an important part of that,” she said.

Mayor Winnall said the grant was a great result for council and the schools, who jointly advocated for the concerns to be addressed both with the Department for Education and DIT.

“The merger of the two campuses at Berri Regional Secondary College in 2022, together with the Riverland Special School, has seen significant growth in student numbers in that area,” she said.

“We are grateful the State Government has recognised the school merger’s impact on local infrastructure.

“We hope the State Government will commit to any infrastructure upgrade requirements that are identified through the assessment.”

Safety concerns include students crossing four lanes of Kay Avenue, bus drop-off locations, traffic congestion at the Fenwick Road and Kay Avenue intersection and intersection difficulty for buses due to road geometry.