Wave of wardens to make kids cross

The Road Safety Commission has taken over management of WA's traffic wardens from police, in a move welcomed by the CrossSafe Advisory Group after months of highlighting gaps in the system. There are currently 58 vacant warden positions across 599 school crossings in Perth, with at least a dozen of those crossings located in western suburbs including Mosman Park, Floreat, Wembley and Churchlands.

Statewide, warden vacancies have climbed 38% in just six months, with 86 vacancies recorded at the start of Term 2 — including eight in the Churchlands electorate alone, among them Lake Monger and Wembley Primary Schools, each missing two wardens.

CrossSafe has long argued that rigid employment conditions are turning away good candidates, with many prospective wardens knocked back simply for asking about part-time or job-share arrangements. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas, who has backed the group's work in his electorate, said CrossSafe's strength has come from being driven by the people who know the crossings best — parents, principals, wardens and students themselves. He's also encouraged fellow Liberal MPs to set up their own CrossSafe-style advisory groups in their electorates, saying if the group's how-to guide helps even one more crossing get attention, it's done its job.

Dwain Watkins, a Churchlands CrossSafe member and Lake Monger Primary School parent, said the group's advocacy has helped bring much-needed focus to the traffic warden program.