Roads and Maritime Services recently advised Kiama council that they had been successful in gaining funding through the state government’s Pedestrian Infrastructure Safety Around Schools Program. 

At council’s February meeting, councillors resolved to accept the offer of a $25,300 grant from the RMS to install a turnaround bay for Kiama High School on Saddleback Mountain Road.

Council staff designs have proposed the turning bay will be formed as motorists approach the bridge. 

This funding will reportedly cover 100 per cent of the estimated cost of the project.

“RMS advises that it looks forward to working with council to successfully deliver the 2017-18 financial year NSW Safer Roads program of works,” council’s report said. 

The requirements that council must adhere to as part of its acceptance of funding include that all physical works be completed by June 30, 2018. 

At the meeting, councillor Neil Reilly said he wished to “make it very clear to everybody that this is an interim measure for the high school”.

“We have a new principal in the high school, and I would like to see that we have a plan that is going to be concrete and deliverable between ourselves, the Department of Education and the RMS within the next two years,” he said.

“To those parents who are concerned that this is going to be a fait accompli, I want to assure them that this is not a fait accompli.

“This is an interim measure and we have some substantial plans to go in place there.”

Cr Andrew Sloan also formally welcomed the school’s new principal Catherine Glover, reportedly the first female principal at Kiama High. 

“I’m sure she will keep pushing for the proper turnaround bay down towards the bottom of the hill,” he said.