By ANEEKA SIMONIS
A TEMPORARY bus service and pathway has been instated to safely get students to a new school in Officer following concerns about the lack of access points from the nearby station.
Officer Secondary College parent Tracy Heath said the lack of pathways between the school and Officer Station created an unsafe situation for students who have to walk along Station Street which is narrow and frequented by large trucks used in ongoing construction.
“I have my youngest attending the college and will have to use public transport while I am at work.
“Until such time as the footpaths or some walking area is provided from the station to the school, I will be sending her in a taxi,” said the mum of a year seven student.
But her concerns were swiftly answered by the new school which announced it would provide a dedicated bus service for students from Pakenham station.
“This service leaves Pakenham Railway Station at 7.45am,” a letter to parents read which also detailed a pick-up route in the afternoons.
Cardinia Shire Council also jumped into action by installing a temporary pathway for students who choose to use Officer station to get to school.
“Council has negotiated with the developer of the Officer town centre precinct to provide a temporary pedestrian link between Officer Railway Station and Officer Secondary College,” said the council’s development co-ordinator Ken White.
“This pathway extends along the north side of the railway line and connects with council’s new civic centre building plaza.
“Pedestrian access has also been provided below the Siding Avenue rail underpass which links to a new crushed rock path extending to the school.”
Mr White said parents can be confident of their child’s safety while using the temporary link as it is closed off from traffic.
The new school opened its doors to the year seven students who make up the entire cohort on Friday 30 January.
