Behind the proposal is a planned major safety upgrade undertaken by RailCorp of the Robert St level crossing.

The upgrade is planned to take place in the next financial year and will result in the installation of high intensity flashing lights, retro-reflective booms and an active swing gate pedestrian crossing. The matter was raised during last week's regular council meeting with a recommendation to close and remove the existing pedestrian crossing located between Green St and Kenny Dr over the rail line and extends the sealed footpath by 330 metres along Duri Rd from the Robert St roundabout.

Councillor Diane Carter expressed her dismay to the meeting that a vote on the issue was being discussed without full community consultation. Cr Warren Woodley also shared Cr Carter's views.

Cr Carter was planning to contact the principals of Hillvue, St Edward's and Peel High schools as well as the Aboriginal health and well-being group, Yinnar, to rally support for the current crossing. Meanwhile parents from Coledale with students at Hillvue expressed anger at any talk of the crossing's closure.

Dianne Meyers, who has children at the school and works as the lollipop lady on the Duri Rd crossing said if the crossing was relocated then children would go back to crossing the line illegally.

"Perhaps if they put a pedestrian bridge or a tunnel under the line the kids will be okay," Mrs Meyers said. "But I'll lose my job [as the lollipop lady] because they will just try and cross the road at Roberts St instead of coming to the pedestrian crossing."

Coledale Community Centre management committee members Bob and Heather King said many children from Coledale were already disadvantaged and the crossing closure would be another blow.

Kristie Hook, whose son Tyler attends Hillvue, said a lot of families would be disadvantaged if the closure went ahead.

Cr Carter said the extra 600 or more metres was a great deal to ask of primary school children especially when Hillvue students could not qualify for a bus pass once they hit Year 3.

Cr Shirley Close moved that council consider the topic again after community consultation occurred. However, Cr Carter has expressed her doubts that two weeks, as per the recommendation, wasn't long enough.