HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has joined forces with a local school to help reinstate a bus run set to benefit several students in the area.

Starting in Term 2, Rollingstone State School (RSS) students living at Toomulla will now be able to get to and from school by bus after a concerted lobbying effort by school staff, parents and Mr Dametto to Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.

The Katter’s Australian Party MP was approached by Toomulla parents Lyle and Natalee Smith earlier this year, who highlighted the growing number of RSS students living in the area. With the suburb falling within the catchment zone of the school, the couple asked Mr Dametto for assistance in reinstating the bus service after it was cancelled a number of years ago.

Buoyed by further support from RSS P&C President Kerri-Anne Fitzsimmons and school Principal Keith Poulter, Mr Dametto took the case to Mr Bailey’s office and was delighted when they agreed to reinstate the bus service.

“This is a fantastic win for Rollingstone State School and I am proud that I could assist in helping to reinstate the bus service,” Mr Dametto said.

“I know just how much this service means to the growing number of RSS families living at Toomulla, who will no longer have the hassle of making the long drive to and from school.

“I’d also like to thank Mark Bailey for his understanding and assistance in being able to reinstate this service. The number of students living in Toomulla will only continue to grow and this decision shows good foresight by the minister.”

Mr Poulter said the school was “extremely grateful” to have the bus run to Toomulla reinstated.

“Receiving a quality education is so important to a child’s life outcomes and it starts with having easy access to a great school like Rollingstone,” he said.

“Having the bus run to Toomulla reinstated means that all of the children in the Toomulla community can once again easily access education. This development also supports the families of Toomulla who previously had to rely on others to transport their children to school, or limit their work opportunities to ensure they were available to transport their children to and from school.”

The bus service will run for a further two years before Transport and Main Roads reviews it.