Shellharbour City Council is expanding its Enhanced No Parking Zone program at schools this year to help keep Bus Zones clear and safe during drop off and pick up times.
The updated program recognises growing safety concerns around illegal parking in School Bus Zones, where stopped vehicles can block designated bus stops, forcing buses into traffic and significantly reducing visibility for drivers and children.
"Parking in these zones can create dangerous conditions, particularly when buses are loading or unloading students," Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said.
"It can increase congestion, obstruct sightlines and raise the risk of children stepping out from behind parked cars into moving traffic."
Caption: Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer with Nazareth Catholic Primary School Principal Matt Downes ready for the start of the school year with new enhanced No Parking Zone signage. Image courtesy of Shellharbour City Council.
Under the expanded program, the large and highly visible Enhanced No Parking Zone corflute bollards already used at schools will extend to bus zones with messaging that reinforces no parking rules and encourages drivers to be bus aware.
The aim is to improve driver behaviour while supporting safer conditions for students, families and school bus operators.
"This refreshed campaign is about making school environments safer for everyone," Mayor Homer said.
"School Bus Zones are critical safety areas, not parking spots for convenience.
"When drivers stop in these zones, it puts children at risk and disrupts traffic flow.
"These new bollards make the rules clear and visible and help drivers understand the serious safety risks caused by parking where they shouldn't."
The triangular prism shaped bollards were first installed outside schools across Shellharbour last year, wrapping around existing sign poles to clearly define Kiss and Drop zones.
Each bollard features safety messages on all three sides, highlighting key parking rules and reminding drivers why these zones must be kept clear.
Parents and carers are reminded to plan ahead, use designated Kiss and Drop areas where available, and always obey parking and stopping restrictions to help keep school communities safe.
The program was created by Shellharbour City Council and funded by Transport for NSW.
KEY MESSAGES:
- Highly visible bollards are being extended to Bus Zones to clearly define no parking areas and improve driver behaviour around schools.
- School Bus Zones must be kept clear to protect children and allow buses to stop safely during drop off and pick up times.
- Planning ahead and following parking rules helps reduce congestion and keeps school communities safer for everyone.
