Valkyrie State School water crisis continues after missing out on funding in state budget

A rural Central Queensland school that is so dry its students have not been allowed to play on the oval for years because it’s is too dangerous, has been banned from accepting water donations.

Valkyrie State School students Koko Black, year 2, Toby Black, year 1, Jaxon Parmenter, year 3, Brooke Hanrahan, year 2, Ari Michelmore, year 1, Ivy Michelmore, year 3, and Lacey Hanrahan, year 4, are unable to use the oval due to a lack of water. Pics Tara Croser.

A Queensland school has been banned by the education department from accepting water donations from local companies despite the fact it is on the brink of running dry again.

Central Queensland News understands the department recently barred Valkyrie State School from accepting further water donations from any supplier except its usual supplier, QBuild, with no reason given for its decision.

Desperate parents have labelled the state government’s inability to act on the dire water situation a “fundamental failure”, growing frustrated as their cries for help fall on deaf ears. The school ran dry earlier this month, calling for an urgent water delivery trucked in from QBuild and further donated water from Peabody, a local mining company.

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

In another blow, the Central Queensland school has been forced to spend yet another year without a reliable water source, after the state government failed to allocate a cent to its ongoing water crisis in Tuesday’s state budget.

Parents were hopeful for support as part of the budget, but while places like Parkhurst State School at Rockhampton received $6m for classroom and administration centre upgrades, Valkyrie State School, about 140km southwest of Mackay, is forced to rely on rainwater tanks and water deliveries.

P&C president and parent Kristen Michelmore has grown tired of the lack of support and said it was clear the government didn’t care about anyone outside the cities.

“We are extremely disappointed that they think it’s acceptable for children to run out of water, given the dire situation of drought,” she said.

“They think it’s OK to build 10 new schools in south east Queensland and spend millions of dollars on administration upgrades and minor works while children out here are running out of water.

Australia is not a third world country.”

“We’re the ones dealing with this situation day by day and the fact that this has fallen on deaf ears can only be described as a fundamental failure by the hands of the Education Department and the state government, at the detriment to our children.

“The message they are delivering to the rest of Australia, is that unless you live in our capital city, we do not care about your health, wellbeing or your education.”

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

Burdekin MP Dale Last said hardworking Queenslanders in the Bowen Basin were being treated as not second, but fourth and fifth-class citizens.

“The fact that there was very little funding for that area is appalling,” he said.

“When the minister has a school that has no permanent water supply and whose concerns have clearly fallen on deaf ears there needs to be some serious questions asked.

“The budget has been delivered and there’s no mention of any allocation to Valkyrie State School so it’s time for the Minister to front up and explain why that school community, who has taken it upon themselves to find some sort of solution, was not considered a priority for budget funding.”

Central Queensland News understands that while the issue has been ongoing for years, parents were afraid to speak up, concerned the school was in danger of being closed.

Brendon Black, who has two children at the school, said locals shied away from the issue about 10 years ago.

With minimal numbers at the school at the time, locals feared causing a fuss would push the Department of Education to shut it down entirely.

“This has been going on for years, and it’s getting pretty tiring,” Mr Black said.

“It should’ve been done and dusted by now. We need a permanent solution.

“I went to a little country school and my oval was similar to this (extremely dry) but now it’s irrigated.

“If they can get that, why can’t this little school get a permanent water supply to give our children somewhere to play.”

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

The most realistic solution to the school community was the rehabilitation of a nearby dam, which would require a water pump and pipeline to run 700m .

The dam, which is on state-owned land, would supply the school’s non-potable needs.

“The [education] department has just thrown it around like a hot potato,” Mr Black said.

“[The school community] has done all the hard work, getting prices, quotes, brainstorming ideas, and then we come up against department and they just can’t be bothered with it.”

A Department of Education spokeswoman said it was working on maximising rainwater capture at Valkyrie State School.

“Three new water tanks will be installed at the school during Term 3, 2021,” she said.

“The new tanks will be connected to an ultra-violet light filtration system, prior to use. Guttering and downpipes will be also be upgraded or replaced where required, to maximise the rainwater capture.

“The school has always had access to water deliveries via QBuild and the department will continue to cover this cost.

“The department is currently seeking the best available long-term solution to the issues of watering the oval and play areas.”