Hope on horizon for Agnes students

A HIGH school for Agnes Water students may be a step closer after a positive meeting between a lobby group and Education Queensland.

A HIGH school for Agnes Water students may be a step closer after a positive meeting between a lobby group and Education Queensland.

Agnes Water High School Advocacy Group spokesperson Ali Black said she believed the push for a high school to be built in the area was now gaining momentum.

“We were really quite pleased with the meeting,” she said.

“It was a really successful discussion and there was a significant shift in the attitudes and opinions of Education Queensland.”

Dr Black said the fate of an Agnes Water high school would be known by the end of the year.

“Education Queensland has committed to appointing an external consultant to review the area and see what should be done,” she said.

“The consultant’s report should be available in June which will then be presented to (Education Minister) Geoff Wilson.”

Dr Black said it was expected the minister would then give permission for the community to be consulted on the issue.

“We will have a better idea of where things are headed by November,” she said.

“It will be good to get answers that aren’t knee-jerk responses. These will be decisions being made by the people who have the authority to do so.”

Dr Black said the attitude of Education Queensland had changed markedly since previous meetings.

“They really seem like they are endeavouring to listen to us,” she said.

“The have recognised that Agnes is growing and it will continue to.”

Dr Black said she hoped the Federal Government would get on board with the project.

“If the Federal Government chips in, there could be some great outcomes for the Agnes community,” she said.

Member for Burnett Rob Messenger made sure the issue was not going unnoticed by the government, submitting a question on notice to the education minister in parliament yesterday.

“I’ve had talks on the floor of parliament with the education minister and he has given me his personal assurance that he will be meeting with his director-general to discuss the issue of a new high school for Agnes Water,” Mr Messenger said.

Originally published as Hope on horizon for Agnes students