The Marshall Liberal Government has brushed aside concerns about child safety expressed by the local community in the $5.3 million expansion of Mark Oliphant College (MOC). The expansion of the college will create places for an additional 100 students and generate more traffic in the locality.
Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo said that while he welcomed the investment in the college the Marshall Liberal Government has failed to listen to community concerns about child safety which will be further compromised by the increased traffic along Newton Parade and Douglas Drive. Mr Piccolo raised his concerns in the Public Works Committee of State Parliament this week on behalf of repeated concerns raised by the MOC Governing Council and the community generally.
“Traffic congestion has now reached a crisis point, where the government must take action before a serious incident occurs,” said Mr Piccolo. “The current drop off zones do not cope now, and will be worse with the planned expansion.” “I am advised that the additional 100 places are likely to create an additional 80 traffic movements in an area which is already not coping.”
The committee was advised that the new project would create an additional 20 staff and visitor carparks. Mr Piccolo said the Marshall Liberal Government should work alongside the City of Playford to resolve this dangerous situation immediately. “A solution exists to reduce this problem significantly, but the Marshall Liberal Government have to be prepared to listen to the community and work with the local Council,” said Mr Piccolo.
Mr Piccolo said that the government needs overcome its short-sightedness because in addition to the traffic issues, he was concerned that the expansion will only cater for 2021 students, and by 2022 the college will be at capacity again. “The committee heard evidence that there are currently 1672 students enrolled at the school and the expansion will cater for up to 1700,” said Mr Piccolo. “The expansion is based on a current enrolment of 1600 which is clearly out of date and wrong.”
“The college currently is using the library, the boardroom and other facilities as classrooms, which are not designed for that purpose.”
“Students and teachers at MOC deserve better.” Mr Piccolo called on the Marshall Liberal Government to start planning for the next expansion now so our community is not disadvantaged. “Sadly, the concerns I raised were brushed aside by the Marshall Liberal Government dominated committee.”