THERE is growing resentment in the Highlands school community over the State Government’s decision to charge familles up to $180 a year for school travel after cuts to the Student Transport Subsidy Scheme.
Parents will now have to pay a yearly fee of $45 for primary school children and $90 a year for high school children, up to a maximum of $180 a year per family.
The decision will save the government an estimated $30 million a year, out of a scheme costing over $470 million a year.
Goulburn MP Pru Goward said her party would overturn the decision to cut the Student Transport Subsidy Scheme if they were to win power at the 2011 state election.
“The NSW Liberal/ Nationals Coalition will restore free travel for school children across NSW,” Ms Goward said.
“This decision will affect hard working families across NSW, with many now having to pay up to $180 a year to transport their children to and from school.”
The Crawley family from Penrose have two sons attending school in Goulburn, and they say the government’s decision has many repercussions.
John Crawley, father of Angus and Oliver, believed that the NSW Government decision was both an environmental issue and a financial issue, because it will, in all likelihood, force more motor vehicles onto the road.
For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Wednesday, November 26
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