Life

New school drop zone almost ready

Dropping-off and picking-up students at Mango Hill State School will soon be easier.

A second drop-zone, on the opposite side of the fast-growing school, could be finished this week and may be open within days.

It will operate from the Mallard St entrance to the school grounds and use a similar system to the main Bonnet Pde drop zone.

The new drop zone as vehicles approach the pick-up

Four bays

The new drive through will have a pull-in lane with four bays, a fence along the front and waiting students will be seated.

A staff member will be present call out names as each students' ‘lift’ arrives. Cars will then continue up the road, turn around and leave again along Mallard St.

“This is a really good news story for our community,” said the school’s foundation Principal Tracy Egan, “it’s about providing another option to help parents and disperse traffic.

Streamlined

“If we can make the process streamlined between here and particularly the high school, that will help.

“The school will announce when it is ready to use and we will launch it with our parents.”

Mango Hill State School, the largest primary school in Queensland, has grown from 200 students when it opened in 2012 to 1500 this year.

A new covered walkway leading from the drop zone to the school

Active travel

That has put increasing pressure on the Bonnet Pde drop zone, however the school is also working with bus services and on active travel options.

Principal Tracy Egan said additional bike racks were being built by the Bonnet Pde drop zone and may also be ready for use within days.

“It will double the capacity of our bike racks and scooters encouraging active travel for those living locally,” she said.

“With active travel, bus services, pick-up zones, bike racks we are trying to support the community and make sure kids get to school safely.”

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