STAMPS
Car parking disruption avoided thanks to MPS parents
In early August, MPS received notice from Yarra Trams that during the Brunswick Tram Depot upgrades, a replacement bus would travel down Blair Street, with a temporary bus stop located directly outside our school. The bus stop would render several of the permanent car parks used by school staff and parents/carers throughout the day unusable, and pose safety threats to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers along Blair St during peak drop-off and pick-up times.
Upon learning of this diversion, the STAMPS team and several MPS parents immediately engaged with local and state councillors, Yarra Trams, and Transport Victoria, to object to the diversion. Within 72 hours, Yarra Trams had redesigned the bus route to avoid this high-traffic area on Blair St.
Thanks to all who swiftly engaged in this process – it was a good result for the safety and convenience of our community.
Upcoming Merri-bek council consultation about Blair Street redesign
Over the past four years, Merri-bek Primary School has seen a big increase in families walking and riding to school, with more children travelling independently and fewer parents choosing to drive on our local streets.
Blair Street's current design, however, still enables dangerous driving behaviours, speeding, double parking, and congestion during drop-off and pick-up times.
Around 60% of families walk or ride to MPS, yet just 7% of school frontage street space safely serves them. The other 93% remains allocated to driving and parking.
Under their new School Precincts Program, Merri-bek Council will soon hold a consultation to seek residents' and parents' views on Blair Street upgrades that balance parking and access with a safer and healthier arrival zone.
Stay tuned for more information about the consultation date and time, so you can have your say.
Idle Off: Clean Air Where Our Kids Learn and Play
When cars sit with their engines running while parked, this is called idling. Did you know, an idling car can produce concentrated pollutants that linger at breathing height, and leaving an engine running near a child can be equivalent to smoking a cigarette around them?
Switching your engine off when you’re parked helps reduce unnecessary exhaust pollution, especially in busy places where children and pets are nearby.
It’s a simple, preventive step families and schools can take to protect everyone’s health.
Bicycle Network Gimme5! campaign
The Gimme 5 campaign calls on the state government and candidates to support the establishment of a dedicated funding stream for the building and development of the Stratagic Cycling Corridor network in Victoria.
Share local stories, hear from experts, meet state election candidates, hear about the Gimme 5 campaign on Sunday 20 September. Find out more about this free, family-friendly Bicycle Network event: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/gimme-5-for-happy-healthy-communities-pascoe-vale-preston-electorates-tickets-1998514389337
What is STAMPS?
STAMPS (Safe Travel Around Merri-bek Primary School) is a volunteer group of parents who are committed to helping everyone in our school community travel safely to, from, and around our school.
Just as MPS's school council, PnC, and its wonderful staff make our school a great place to be inside the school gates, STAMPS’ focus is making the streets outside the gates safer and nicer for all.
Whether you walk, ride, scoot, or drive to school, STAMPS is here to advocate with you.