Released 12/05/2025
As part of its ongoing commitment to road safety, the ACT Government has announced the installation of a new signalised midblock pedestrian crossing on Canberra Avenue near Burke Crescent. The crossing will improve safety for students from St Edmund’s and St Clare’s Colleges, supporting safer commutes to and from school.
Minister for City and Government Services Tara Cheyne said the decision to install the crossing reflects the Government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable road users, particularly young people.
“This crossing will make a real difference for students who cross this busy road every day. Their safety is our priority, and we’re acting to ensure they can travel to and from school with greater confidence,” Minister Cheyne said.
“The ACT Government will fast-track design of the crossing to support seeking approvals and enable construction. More information will be provided to the local school community on timing in the next couple of months.”
Minister for Education Yvette Berry welcomed the announcement, noting the importance of a safe and supportive environment for students beyond the school gate.
“Students should be able to get to and from school safely, no matter how they travel. This new crossing will provide the school communities greater peace of mind and help support student wellbeing,” Minister Berry said.
The announcement coincides with National Road Safety Week 2025, a time to reflect on the impact of road trauma and the collective responsibility to keep our roads safe.
"In 2024, eleven people tragically lost their lives on ACT roads, and already this year, we have lost three more. And I know that the incident in late March outside St Eddies has had and will continue to have a profound impact on this tight-knit community," Minister Cheyne said. "Every death or injury is a devastating reminder that road trauma has lasting impacts on families, friends, and the wider community. These are not just statistics – they are lives lost too soon, and futures cut short or dramatically altered."
"National Road Safety Week is a time to come together with other jurisdictions and shine a light on the importance of safe driving behaviours. We must all remember that road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and every action we take behind the wheel matters."
The ACT Government remains committed to Vision Zero, a future where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads.
“When we drive, we’re not just responsible for ourselves, we’re responsible for everyone around us. Vision Zero means choosing to slow down, staying alert, and driving to the conditions. Even one death on our roads is one too many."
"The ACT Government, alongside ACT Policing, continues to deliver education and enforcement campaigns to change attitudes and behaviours on our roads. Road safety doesn't begin and end with Road Safety Week – it is an everyday priority."
"Every crash carries a cost – emotionally, economically, and socially. We must never accept road trauma as an unavoidable part of transport. Every life lost is preventable, and every life matters."
During National Road Safety Week, the ACT Government urges all Canberrans to take the pledge to drive so others survive.
- Statement ends -
Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases