Greater Springfield: Fast-growing area to get 11 new schools

One of southeast Queensland’s fastest-growing communities is in line for 11 new schools by 2036, including religious and special-needs.

One of southeast Queensland’s rapidly growing regions is supercharging its education precinct, revealing plans to build 11 new schools by 2036, including its first facility for students with special needs.

Greater Springfield is set to be home to a second university, with a focus on health, and a new faith-based school for students of Christian and Catholic religions.

Springfield City Group Education and Health Services director Meera Honan said the new schools would include single sex (separate girls and boys from Prep to Year 12), an international school offering the International Baccalaureate, as well as additional state primary and secondary schools.

Springfield residents Ramandip Singh and Mandeep Kaur with children Ravneet, 10, Japneet, 5, and Ajeet, 2. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We have identified seven sites within our CBD,” Mrs Honan said.

Greater Springfield is the largest, privately owned masterplanned city in Australia and home to more than 45,000 residents, with projections forecasting a population of 80,000 by 2030. Long term planning is under way for 140,000 residents.

The University of Southern Queensland, TAFE Queensland and an international English language school are part of 11 already operating education facilities within Greater Springfield.

Mrs Honan said they were ready to “supercharge” the educational vision for their Learning City.

She said six of the future school sites were located in the Knowledge Precinct (120ha site within the 390ha CBD that comprises Health City, Education City and IDEA City) and one near AFLW Stadium at The Reserve Community Arena.

Mrs Honan said capacity would depend on each individual school’s model.

“With 11 schools currently accommodating our 11,000 school-aged students, at least 10 more will be required to accommodate the projected doubling of our school aged population by 2036,” Mrs Honan said.

“Our vision for our Learning City is to make learning accessible to learners of all abilities.

“We invite new age schools and specialist academies who share our vision for innovation in learning to establish themselves in a city where learning is valued and championed.

“Our current planning shows all future schools are within the CBD (Springfield Central)”.

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Mandeep Kaur and her husband Ramandip Singh have lived at Springfield Lakes for the past five years and were drawn to the area’s growing masterplanned community.

The mother of children aged 10, 5 and 2 said: “When we bought a house here, we knew everything was here and the kids wouldn’t have to travel far to get to places.

“I work from home mostly, and my husband works at Brookwater. Greater Springfield is impressive. All the facilities are here and we don’t have to leave.”

The family welcomed the news of more educational facilities in Greater Springfield and said it would enhance the region greatly.

Mrs Honan said the proximity of schools to students’ homes allowed families to enjoy a 15 minute lifestyle.

“Everything is 15 minutes from their home. They can live, learn work and play here. This in turn maximises the time residents can spend on the important things in life rather than commuting,” Mrs Honan said.

“Giving the local population the gift of education allows them to contribute to the betterment of society in general.”