The Port Douglas community is rallying behind a proposal to make a road crossing commonly used by school students safer. 

Port Douglas State School (PDSS) students commonly cross the road on the western side of the roundabout on Port Douglas Road adjactent to the Wildlife Habitat before continuing along Ulysses Street.  

The site, however, lacks a zebra crossing, is too far from the school to merit a stop-go traffic controller and experiences Port Douglas’s heaviest traffic. 

These conditions have led to widespread concerns from the Parents and Carers of PDSS, in addition to local and federal-level political representatives. 

Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch joined Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu, Port Douglas Police officer in charge Senior Sergeant Damian Meadows and the recently-formed Safe School Travel committee at the crossing site last week to highlight the potential dangers to children using it. 

A meeting with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) has resulted in DTMR agreeing to conduct limited works on the crossing, including increased signage and white paint colour scheme, but the SafeST committee says more action is needed.

“At the moment this is a bit of a Band-Aid solution that will have to do in the short term,” PDSS Parent and Carers president Janice Ruffles said. 

“We are still waiting with a proper meeting with the head honchos, I guess you would call them.”

Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu said council would work with all parties to bring about a solution. 

“We’re very eager to work with the P&C and Main Roads to make this dangerous area safer,” she said. 

“I compliment the P&C on the excellent submisison they have made which clearly shows the significance of the problem here in terms of safety.

“We want to help make this spot safer not just for schoolchildren but also cyclists and the wider community.”