Little Grasshoppers at risk because of busy highway, pushing educators into action

Educators and leaders at Little Grasshoppers Coolstores Early Learning Centre have been prompted into advocacy, calling on local and state governments to do more to protect the children in their care from the risks posed by the 80kmph speed limit near the centre, which sits on the corner of Eramosa Road and Moorooduc Highway.

The speed limit, the team says, puts children at serious risk of harm, with the centre located on the corner of Eramosa Road and Moorooduc Highway. The speed limit on Eramosa Road just outside the centre’s entrance is 80kmph, something which centre manager Sandi O’Shaughnessy says is dangerous for children, parents, and staff. 

“We have been requesting the council to help us in slowing traffic on Eramosa Road across from the Coolstores complex,” she shared with local news source Mornington Peninsula News. 

“We run a bush kindergarten program and cross this road at least twice per week, and we see many many pedestrians and cyclists dangerously cross this road. 

“The speed limit is 80kmph, there is no crossing or even children crossing signs, and cars rarely slow down. It is so dangerous.”

The paper approached the Victorian Department of Transport, which has the final say on all speed limits statewide, however the department declined to comment. 

Mornington Peninsula Shire is the governing body who manages the road, and have previously stated that “the shire is the road management authority for all local and non-arterial roads on the Mornington Peninsula. However VicRoads are responsible for all speed limits in Victoria. This means any speed limit changes on shire managed roads are subject to a detailed assessment and application to VicRoads for their approval.”

“Potential speed limit change applications can only be considered once the road has undergone a detailed traffic engineering assessment and community consultation has been conducted as part of that. This is a lengthy process which can take more than twelve months. It is not guaranteed that VicRoads will approve a speed limit change application submitted by the shire.”

In August the Shire acknowledged that it is investigating advocating for the speed limits on Hodgins, Derril, Graydens, Stumpy Gully, and Tuerong roads to be reduced to 60kmph.

Read the original coverage of this story here.