By Aleisha Pidgeon

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

BUS safety will be boosted in Jimboomba with Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk announcing $100,000 for road safety improvements in the area.

Her announcement followed a string of stories in the Times outlining bus safety concerns  including the death of eight-year-old boy Joshua Stone in Jimboomba in December, 2010.

Earlier this month, Ms Palaszczuk said a bus safety review undertaken on Jimboomba bus routes had not taken too long despite on-site inspections for the review undertaken in May last year.

The review looked at road safety issues, including visibility and safety of pick-up and set-down areas, route signage, and turn-around areas on six nominated bus routes.

“School road safety is a critical issue, and the safety of Queensland’s students is a key priority for the State Government,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“That’s why we have set aside $100,000 so the highest priority improvements identified by the review can be made without delay.”

Independent organisation, The Australian Road Research Board Group, conducted the review of the local school routes in consultation with the school bus operator and Park Ridge Transit.

The review team travelled on the school bus along the nominated bus routes, noting and prioritising issues.

However Cedar Vale mother Kate Dean, who has been campaigning for greater school bus safety for two years, said while she was excited about the money, she was concerned it would not go far enough.

“I’m excited to have something happen after two years of campaigning for it but I’m concerned that parents and residents have not been consulted because we’re in the best position to know,” she said.

“Parents and concerned residents are best able to be aware of the most serious areas of concern.”

She also demanded the review be released to the public.

“What are the details, we need the details and we need to be told,” she said.

“Is the money going to be used in an effective way?”

Before she had heard the announcement Ms Dean called together more than 30 concerned residents on Sunday to get school bus safety back on the agenda before the start of the 2012 school year.

“It was about being proactive in getting something done,” she said.

Minister Palaszczuk said the $100,000 had been made available to fast track the improvements.

A spokeswoman from Ms Palaszczuk’s office said the report would not be released to the public and had been given to Logan City Council Council for their consideration.

She said the works in the report were also under council’s consideration.

Logan City Council Mayor Pam Parker said the funding was a good start which would allow council to start scheduling the delivery of the highest priority works.