Council joins Police and RTA in revamping CARES
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Community & Road Education Scheme
Blacktown City Council in conjunction with NSW Police and the RTA have recently completed the upgrade of the Community and Road Education Scheme (CARES) based in Reen Road, Prospect.
CARES is a bicycle and road safety educational program designed primarily for students in years 5 and 6, and uses a combination of practical activities and classroom lessons to develop student confidence and skills in road safety.
The site uses an obstacle course for bicycles, where balance, braking and observation skills are taught and tested on a simulated road network.
The revamping of the CARES site comes after Blacktown Local Area Command's Senior Constable, Monique Lagarde was successful in securing several donations and funding to improve the site.
Council has also assisted by providing general maintenance to the site including maintenance of gutters, signage, line marking, replacement of power points, weeding and garden works, road patching, rubbish removal and paving.
"Council has been a keen supporter of the CARES program and the work of Blacktown Local Area Command for many years", Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Leo Kelly, OAM said.
"This road safety program not only complements the existing road safety programs and initiatives around Blacktown City, it is aimed at an untouched audience that is still young and will carry the information and skills they learn at CARES through until they get their license and later in life"
"I am pleased that Council has once again been able suppport this program through general maintenance", Mayor Kelly continued.
Superintendent Mark Wright, Blacktown Local Area Commander said the work and efforts of Senior Constable Lagarde were instrumental in the revamping of the CARES facility.
"Senior Constable Lagarde has been the driving force behind CARES, securing donations, funding and improvements to the site, ensuring a future for CARES in Blacktown".
Promotional material has also been donated by Penrith City Council including hand bands (Cool Kids Wear Lids), Doggy Chains (Cycle Safe) and helmets. The RTA has provided over $5,000.00 funding for 20 new bicycles, 24 helmets and an ongoing bicycle maintenance program.
CARES is located on Reen Road, Prospect. There is no cost required of schools that attend and the program can be modified to suit other primary grades and pre-school aged children.