Gerald Lynch
Parents of Harvest Home Primary School students are being fined for parking illegally, but they say poor planning has left them no safe alternatives at school pickup time.
Since it was opened seven years ago, the Epping school has grown to about 800 students across prep to grade six, however a quick glance at the parking situation outside the campus would make onlookers think it held just a fraction of that number of students.
Tamara Eyre, whose son attends the school, said while the pickup situation has always been poor, it has reached a tipping point.
“It’s gotten to the point now where (Whittlesea) council is bringing someone out in an unmarked van and just handing out fines,” she said.
“There are such a limited amount of spots available, school finishes at 3.10pm, but you have to get there at 2.15pm if you want any chance of finding a legal spot.”
Ms Eyre said that the next best option was at a nearby shopping centre and oval across the road.
“It’s a 10 minute walk, there is no school crossing or lollipop lady there to help the kids cross what is a pretty busy road. I don’t want my son or other young kids having to navigate that alone.
“It’s also not fair on the residents of nearby houses, I feel bad parking on their nature strip but myself and other parents have been left with no choice.”
Ms Eyre has received two fines in recent weeks, $192 for stopping in a no standing zone, and $115 for parking on a median strip.
She is contesting the fines with council.
Whittlesea council director of infrastructure and environment Debbie Wood said she understood parents’ frustration.
“Traffic safety, particularly around schools, is of utmost importance. This is often jeopardised when people park illegally as it obscures the vision of both drivers and pedestrians,” she said.
“We understand that parking at schools can be a frustrating experience for parents and Council regularly works with schools to help address parking concerns.
“A pedestrian crossing was recently installed on Edgars Road to assist with pedestrians crossing from the rear of Harvest Home Primary School and the Aurora Town Centre where there is additional parking available.”
