Education Minister weighs in on the Valkyrie State School water crisis

Valkyrie’s school community continues its fight for a permanent water solution saying the government blaming drought is just an excuse.

Valkyrie State School students Mason Russell, 8, and Indee Russell, 6. Photo: Tara Croser.

Parents from a rural Central Queensland school believe the state Education Minister is “missing the point” after she recently blamed its ongoing water crisis on drought.

Minister Education Grace Grace, who visited Emerald on Monday as part of the Regional Community Forums, said the department would never let Valkyrie State School, which relies only on rainwater and water truck deliveries, run out of necessary water.

“We’re working with the school,” she said.

“We will never let them run out of drinking water and water that they require.

“Never. Never have, never will.

“But they are in a drought and only recently we were trucking water into Stanthorpe – 5000 people without water. We were having to truck water in for 18 months.

“When there’s a drought, there’s not a lot you can do, and in a drought you don’t have green lush fields, you have plenty of drinking water and water you need for everyday use and that’s exactly what we’re providing to the school and will continue to do so.”

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace.

This comes after the school oval was labelled a dust bowl, with students unable to play on it for years.

P & C President and mum Kristen Michelmore said “never” was an all too familiar word they were used to hearing from the State Government.

“In Valkyrie’s 45 plus year existence, we have only ever known the school grounds completely devoid of any lawn,” she said.

“Drought is an excuse not the issue and the Minister is missing the point.

“Our children have the right to access equal learning opportunities, including physical education and the State Government has the responsibility to ensure this happens.”

An extensive case investigating a water solution for Valkyrie was carried out and presented to the state government in April.

A dam which is less than a kilometre from Valkyrie State School. Photo: Tara Croser.

The most realistic solution to the school community was the rehabilitation of a nearby dam, which would require a water pump and pipeline.

“The solution lies within a pipeline that is 20km away,” Mrs Michelmore said.

“This is a viable, permanent solution that eradicates the current lack of water infrastructure.

“Perhaps if Minister Grace had to adhere to a strict allocated water limitation per day she would soon gain an appreciation for those that are forced to make those decisions daily.”

The Department of Education revealed it was investigating ‘all viable options’.

“If there is a long-term solution, we’ll find it and we’ll do it,” Minister Grace said.

“But we’ll never ever let them run out of water as long as there’s water in Queensland.”