Community slams council’s funding cuts to lollipop ladies

A regional community is ‘up in arms’ after learning the local council will no longer fund schools’ lollipop ladies and gents.

In what has been labelled a blatant cost cutting measure, Northern Grampian shire plan to cut funding for road crossing supervisors in schools. 

The council claims they can no longer afford the supervisors.

But the principal of St Arnaud Primary School, Mark McLay, has slammed the decision as a ‘really bad call’. 

 LISTEN: Principal Mike McLay speaks to Neil Mitchell 

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Mr McLay said his school is on a ‘really busy road’ that is ‘chaotic’ around 3.30pm. 

‘I just hate to think what it would be like in regard to safety of kids if they were left to their own devices,’ he told Neil Mitchell. 

‘You’re putting kids’ lives at risk.’

Mr McLay said road crossing supervisors across the entire shire cost the council $45,000 each year.

Justine Linley, CEO of the Northern Grampians Shire Council, said the state government or VicRoads should have to foot the bill. 

‘We’re pretty much down to the bone,’ she said.

LISTEN: Justine Linley says her council cannot afford road crossing supervisors