Students at a coastal secondary college on New South Wales’ Far South Coast are preparing for a long-awaited change — walking and cycling to school for the first time since the campus opened more than three decades ago.
At Carroll College in Broulee, the shift follows a decision by the Eurobodalla Shire Council to approve a six-month pedestrian access trial, effectively ending a restriction that had been in place since 1994. For years, students were not allowed to walk or ride to school due to concerns about traffic safety along nearby roads.
What has surprised many in the community is that the original council motion behind the restriction was never legally enforceable. School representatives only discovered this earlier this year during discussions with the council, prompting a reassessment of a rule that had gone largely unquestioned for 32 years.
“It wasn’t placed into the development conditions that come under our development consent,” Moruya Parish Priest Father Joshua Scott said. “That means it would not be enforceable, but we were under the impression it was.”
The revelation has reshaped how the school and council approach student access, turning what was once seen as a fixed rule into an opportunity for change.
Students and families welcome long-overdue shift
For students like Year 12’s Lukas Muir, who lives nearby, the change is both practical and symbolic. Despite owning a mountain bike, he has never been allowed to use it for his daily commute.
“Not being able to take that into school has been a bit rough, especially since I live so close,” he said. “Fuel prices are crazy at the moment, so riding will be a lot cheaper.”
Others see the shift as a way to encourage healthier habits. Fellow student Aimee Harris said walking or cycling would help students stay active and reduce time spent in cars.
“It’ll encourage them to move and get out of the house, instead of sitting in the car maybe on their phone,” she said.
Principal Andrew Kenneally described the decision as a major step forward for the school community, noting that around 40 families are expected to benefit during the trial period alone.
“We feel that finally our students, our community, can access the school like they should have been able to for many years,” he said.
The benefits extend beyond convenience. School leaders believe the change will improve student independence, increase physical activity, and ease congestion during peak drop-off and pick-up times — an ongoing concern for many schools.
Safer roads make change possible after decades
When Carroll College was built in 1994, conditions around the school were very different. George Bass Drive, the main road running past the campus, had a speed limit of 100 kilometres per hour and limited infrastructure to support safe pedestrian access.
“There was not much infrastructure on the road,” Father Scott said, explaining why concerns at the time were understandable.
Since then, safety improvements have transformed the area. A roundabout has been installed on Broulee Road, and a 40km/h school zone now operates during school hours. There are also discussions about adding further traffic-calming measures, including another roundabout.
Under the new trial, students will follow a designated route designed with safety in mind. They will walk approximately 600 metres along the western side of George Bass Drive to a roundabout, where a pedestrian refuge allows them to cross the road.
Temporary measures, including signage and a grass pathway, will be put in place to support the transition. If the trial proves successful, more permanent solutions — such as a pedestrian crossing closer to the school entrance — could be considered.
The shift also reflects a broader trend towards encouraging active travel among students. According to the World Health Organization, regular physical activity can improve young people’s physical health, mental wellbeing, and academic performance.
For Carroll College, the change is not just about transport — it’s about rethinking how students connect with their community and environment.
There is also optimism that improved accessibility could strengthen the school’s appeal. Mr Kenneally said the previous restriction had limited opportunities for local families considering enrolment.
“We’ve been a little bit blocked with not having that accessibility for our students,” he said. “But now that we can open that up, there’s more scope for people who live in Broulee to consider that they come to Carroll College.”
As the next term approaches, students are preparing for a simple but meaningful change — one that turns a daily commute into a symbol of independence, and closes a chapter shaped by a misunderstanding that lasted more than three decades.
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