Students take action on Tailem Bend's dangerous intersections

Two intersections on Granites Road at Tailem Bend, known for being notoriously dangerous, are getting fresh attention from local school kids.

The year 4/5/6 class at Coomandook Area School are teaming up with the Coorong District Council as part of a problem-based learning initiative.

The project aims to address the serious traffic problem on Granites Road, which connects two major roads: the Princes Highway and Railway Terrace.

As part of their investigation, the students have designed a short community survey to gather local input and better understand the concerns of residents, road users and businesses.

Project teacher, Lea Brodie said the children were excited to be working in a real-life situation, no matter the challenge.

"It's huge, the amount of learning is insane," she said.

"It's about teaching them that they have an impact, you don't have to be an adult."

Granites Road also leads to the railway crossing and provides access to Viterra.

Since the Coomandook and Coonalpyn silos have closed, most grain trucks are now forced to use this route.

Once the survey results are collated, students are to come up with a finalised and drafted plan.

The kids would then have the chance to present their proposals to the council later in the term, Ms Brodie said.

The project all came about with the state Department of Education's problem-based learning in which schools team up with outside industries to help solve real-world problems.

Ms Brodie said without the Coorong council's participation in the program, none of it would have been possible.

"I encourage industries to join the program and become a partner to a school," she said.

• Take the survey: forms.office.com.
• Contact Coorong District Council: council@coorong.sa.gov.au or 1300 785 277.
• More information about the program: www.education.sa.gov.au.