A new school zone will be operational from late January. Photo: Keeli Dyson.
A stretch of road in Towradgi which has been the scene of multiple crashes in recent years will soon be safer for students, pedestrians and motorists, with a new school zone being introduced before the start of term one.
New speed limits during key drop-off and pick-up times will be implemented in the streets surrounding Wollongong Flexible School (also known as Wollongong Flexible Learning Centre) this month to improve the safety of those travelling on the roads and using the education facility.
A new speed zone of 40 km/h will operate on Towradgi Road, the Princes Highway, Caldwell Avenue and John Street during the standard morning school zone hours of 8 to 9:30 am on weekdays, with the afternoon hours adjusted to 1:30 to 3 pm to better align with the school’s schedule.
“The western boundary of Wollongong Flexible Learning Centre has direct access to the Princes Highway so this change will allow students and their families to get to and from school safely during busy periods on our roads,” Wollongong MP Paul Scully said.
“There were three crashes within this length of road in the five years to September 2024 and while the changes will add just a few seconds to motorists’ travel times, they will importantly help protect children at times and places where they are often present in high numbers.”
The school is part of Edmund Rice Education Australia Flexible Schools which aim to give students another chance at education when mainstream avenues have not been suitable.
It has been operating in the community for 13 years, with the most recent annual report showing a student body of 76 enrolments in 2024, ranging from six students in Year 7, to 41 in Year 10.
It’s hoped the change provides safer journeys for those students, as well as the broader community.
“The school qualified for a school zone as it directly accesses a public road and met the requirements of the NSW Speed Zoning Standards,” Minister Scully said.
“Children are among our most vulnerable road users and the Minns Government is committed to making sure that they can travel safely to and from school every day.”
Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the traffic control directions and signage in place.
“I thank the community for their understanding as we work together to make our roads safer,” Minister Scully said.
The new speed zone will be in effect from Tuesday 27 January.
