Traffic around Port Fairy Consolidated School, Macarthur Primary School, and St Colman’s Primary School in Mortlake will be slowed down for greater distances under the move.

At Port Fairy Consolidated School, the 40km/h zones that come into play at the start and end of the school day will be extended along Campbell and Cox streets until they reach Williams Street. 

It will be also extended further west along Polding Street.

In Macarthur, the school zone will be extended further along Russell Street towards Heckfield Street.

In Mortlake, the school zone will be extended north along West Street to Kerr Street.

The review into school zones came about after it was suggested to Moyne Shire that “there may be some issues with the signage around the schools” in the municipality, according to a report to council.

A fourth school – Nullawarre Primary School – was also found to have a situation where the current signage does not marry up with VicRoads guidelines.

In a bizarre turn of events, for the Nullawarre school zone to meet VicRoads guidelines the speed limit outside the school would have to be increased from 40km/h to 60km/h. 

Moyne Shire and VicRoads discussed the matter, with VicRoads agreeing it was preferable to leave the school zone at the lower speed limit.

Councillors unanimously backed the changes, with Cr Jill Parker saying the changes in Mortlake would be welcomed by the local community due to the school’s proximity to the highway.