A brand new raised pedestrian crossing outside Ryde Public School is one of the projects being funded by the NSW Government to make it easier for kids to walk, ride or scoot to school.
The new "wombat crossing" on Argyle Avenue, Ryde, will include fencing and concrete blisters to slow vehicles outside Ryde Public School, making it safer for kids to cross before and after school and for community members to access Top Ryde Shopping Centre.
The new crossing is part of a $10 million Get Kids Active fund, a Minns Labor Government initiative that is delivering projects around primary schools that make it safer and more comfortable for students and their families to walking, scoot or ride to school.
The new program, announced in early 2024, has seen grants of up to $800,000 secured by 24 councils to deliver new projects.
The Get Kids Active program has also brought bike skills courses into the school yard, to increase kids' confidence and safety awareness when on two wheels.
So far, over 1000 students at 18 schools across NSW have enrolled in the school holiday courses, learning about safely crossing the road with their bikes, correct helmet fitting, riding on ramps and taking part in fun-filled activities like relays.
The Get Kids Active program will give primary school children and their parents more confidence to ditch the car trip to and from school, and consider walking, bike riding, scootering or skateboarding instead.
The funding announcement comes as applications open for another $60 million in Get Active NSW grants for councils across the state.
From 14 October 2024, councils can apply for grants in this latest round of Transport for NSW's Get NSW Active and Get Kids Active funding programs. Upgrades that can be delivered through these programs include new footpaths and cycleways, and improved safety features for bike riders and pedestrians.
Shortlisted applications will be prioritised to ensure that 40 per cent of funding is for Regional Outer Metropolitan projects, and 15 per cent is for projects in Western Parkland City.
Last year, 108 Get NSW Active projects were completed with a total grant value of $35.1 million. Of these, 50 projects were completed in greater Sydney worth $21.8 million and 58 were completed in regional and outer metropolitan areas worth $13.1 million.
Quotes attributable to Minister Haylen:
"The raised wombat crossing outside my own kid's primary school means they can be seen clearly by oncoming cars, and those cars are slowing down to navigate the bump.
It's a small piece of infrastructure, but it gives me a big boost of confidence knowing that my kids can walk, ride or scoot safely to school.
"With Get Kids Active program, we want to invest in small infrastructure projects like wombat crossings to make everyone's walks to school safer, no matter where they live in the state.
"It's been brilliant to see how this program can make a difference in front of the school gates, now we're working with the Department of Education on the other side of the school gates to deliver more in-school infrastructure, like bike and scooter parking."
Quotes attributable to Ryde Councillor Lyndal Howison:
"Ryde streets are busy with a lot of traffic congestion. By giving kids safer options to walk, ride or scoot to school, it will open these travel options up as a viable alternative to jumping in the car.
"It'll be good for the kids who are out there getting active, and better for everyone else as more cars come off the streets."
Quotes attributable to Executive Director of Active Transport Anna Bradley:
"Data shows less than one in four NSW school children currently walk or ride to and from school, while Transport's community consultation revealed over 70 per cent of parents and carers ideally want to be walking to school with their children most days.
"In designing the program, Transport for NSW undertook extensive consultation with parents, carers and community groups which revealed there was a strong interest for children to use active transport more often, as it provides good exercise and quality family time.
"We also consulted with Aboriginal communities in Redfern, Tamworth and Bourke to understand their journey to school experiences and local perspectives.
"This program is making small but meaningful infrastructure and education interventions to make it easier for kids across the state to find active and independent ways to travel to school."
