Education department meets with Valkyrie State School parents and P & C

“We’re still hopeful and willing to wait out the process and just see what comes of it, but we won’t stop if it’s not enough”: Community continues to rally for permanent school water.

Kristen Michelmore with children Ivy, 8, and Ari, 6, who attend Valkyrie State School. Pics Tara Croser.

The Valkyrie State School community has had their voices heard with a recent visit from Queensland Education deemed the “first step” in creating change.

A selection of parents and P & C members joined an education department representative, a representative from QBuild and an independent engineer at the regional school on Monday.

The welcomed meeting allowed the parties to discuss, in depth, the school's ongoing water issues from the lack of a permanent water supply, affecting the health and wellbeing of both teachers and students.

It is understood teachers are required to regularly check water tanks while students have been unable to use the school oval for years due to the inability to water it.

P & C president and parent Kristen Michelmore said the meeting, which went for a few hours, was “positive”, creating a platform for all parties to express their views.

The students at Valkyrie State School are unable to use the oval due to a lack of water. Photo: Tara Croser.

“We got our point across that using drought [as an excuse] is a bit of a cop out, because we haven’t had permanent water for 50 years,” she said.

“There’s been good rainfalls during that time and we haven’t been able to capture or keep any of that water.”

This comes after Education Minister Grace Grace recently blamed the school's ongoing water crisis on drought, saying that much of the state was in a similar situation.

“We addressed mental health for our kids and that school is a kids safe place,” Mrs Michelmore said.

“They are all too familiar with drought at home. Graziers and country people watch water no matter what, to maintain it, watch it and not use to much.

“But I think we got across to them that the mental health of our children is very important.

“They should be able to go to school and switch off, not have to have drought at home and also have to be conscious of it at school.”

The group discussed all possible options, including the redevelopment of a nearby dam, a 22km pipeline and continuation of trucked water.

Mrs Michelmore said the report would be finalised within four weeks.

“We did make it clear that if we're not happy with what comes back after this report, if some sort of permanent solution doesn’t come out of this process then we will continue to make noise and continue to advocate for change,” she said.

“It basically all lies in the hands of this consultant.

“We’re positive, we’re still hopeful and willing to wait out the process and just see what comes of it, but we won’t stop if it’s not enough.”

Although Mrs Michelmore said regardless of the final outcome, the school community just wanted a solution.

The school is located south west of Mackay.

“Whether it’s a dam, a pipeline or trucked water, there needs to be some sort of an agreement in place that we are able to water what is deemed reasonable,” she said.

“We had a discussion while they were here and threw a number out there – 100m x 30m – and they agreed that would be more than reasonable.

“You are able to water that and however it happens, happens, we’re not questioned for it and don’t have to pay for it, then that’s a good outcome.”

A Department of Education spokeswoman said an independent engineer was engaged, who met with the school to gain a full understanding of the school’s water infrastructure and ongoing requirements.

“The engineer’s report will inform any further work required at the school,” she said.

“Discussions are ongoing with Valkyrie State School regarding long-term options for the school’s water supply needs.

“The school will continue to have access to water deliveries via QBuild and the department will continue to cover this cost.”

In the meantime, the school is receiving three new water tanks and guttering and downpipe upgrades or replacement where required.

The works are being completed during the school holidays.

The department of education has also offered to install and run pipes to a further 250,000L tank purchased by the P & C.