We are writing to our community leaders to express our significant concerns around child safety for our children going to and from school at St Jospeh’s East Maitland and King Street Community Preschool. 

Within King Street East Maitland, about 500 children each day attend schooling either for preschool or primary school purposes. The traffic conditions in this area are extremely dangerous with only one designated crossing zone, without pedestrian crossing markings, just school flags, which isn’t conveniently located for children and carers to use. In addition, given the volume of cars and the location of where children live, a lot of people cross at the corner of King Street and Lawes Street in the mornings and afternoon. This is an extremely busy road and one that is dangerous to navigate with traffic flowing consistently in both directions. Buses and cars also exit from King Street and parked cars pulling out, making it dangerous and at times, impossible to traverse. The nearest crossing is some 500 metres down the road on Lawes Street, a long way for children to walk. 

Australia has seen an increase in pedestrian injuries and death among children aged 5-14 years old, with many incidents occurring near or at school (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare). There were 3,510 people hospitalised last year as a result of a pedestrian incident and a further 172 pedestrians died, and this is only increasing. These statistics are alarming and highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures around St Joseph’s East Maitland School and King Street Community Preschool, so we don’t add to the statistics. 

Maitland Councils Draft Delivery Program 2022-2026, Operational Plan 2024-2025, talks about the vision and subsequent actions for delivery for the Maitland LGA. However nowhere in this plan and within the $39.7 million spend is child safety. The closest is action 1.2.4, make roads safer, but still no mention of making roads safer for our most vulnerable members of the community. 

We call on our local members to take immediate action by implementing safer measurers for our children to get to and from school and preschool. We urge a comprehensive approach to addressing these safety issues both in King Street and Lawes Street. Failure to address these concerns promptly not only endangers lives but also neglects the fundamental duty to protect our children.

Our children’s lives are precious. Let’s make their journey to and from school as safe as possible. Please sign this petition to urge our leaders to prioritise the safety of our young ones at school crossings in East Maitland.