A feasibility study into the possibility of reviving the old school, based at the Ballarat Airport, found numerous problems with the idea, including cost, safety and the suitability of off-road driver training.

Buninyong Cr Peter Innes asked council officers to look into the feasibility of re-opening at the school at a meeting more than 18 months ago, prompting the council to contract consultants to investigate the suggestion.

A report from the consultants was considered at last night's meeting.

The school was closed in 1996 because of concerns with liability and risk and a feeling the benefits of the facility and the costs of operating it did not stack up.

Councillors at the meeting heard the full cost of re-opening and running the facility would have to be borne by the council, with other authorities such as the Education Department, VicRoads and Roadsafe Central Highlands

declining to be involved.

The consultant's report found traffic schools were no longer considered a good option for teaching kids about road safety, with worldwide studies showing real traffic situations were much more effective.

And with little infrastructure in place at the old Ballarat school, the start-up costs would also be prohibitive.

Councillors heard the consultants had visited successful traffic schools in other local government areas but each had appropriate facilities and infrastructure, with fencing costs alone a problem in getting the Ballarat school

back up and running.

The consultants found the current use of the site was appropriate.