Four Mackay schools score upgrades in trade jobs bonanza

FULL LIST: Find out which schools will share in $2.5m cash splash

Pioneer State High School Year 11 students Jade Davey, Amelia Flor, Grace Gibson, Samantha Vella and Erin Hawthorne. Picture: Tony Martin

FOUR Mackay schools will score major upgrades as part of a $220 million school improvement program and tradies job bonanza.

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert has announced Mackay electorate schools will share in more than $2.5 million of the cash splash.

Another $2.2 million will be spent on schools across the broader region.

Pioneer State High School has secured almost $1 million to upgrade the science block.

Mackay District Special School will receive $100,000 to upgrade the parents driveway.

Victoria Park State School will also receive a $100,000 boost to repaint block D.

Other local schools will also share in $1.3 million for minor works and maintenance.

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Mrs Gilbert said the State Government’s program would improve school facilities and support more than 720 jobs.

Mackay District Special School Prep Grace Rupert, Anthony Foster, Alexander Cholava, Chard Bartlett and Saari Puglisi. Insert (top) Blake Bull and Cooper Paplauskas. Absent: Eli Fapani Teacher: Michaela Boswell Teacher Aide: Tenille Anderson Picture: Tony Martin

“This funding is fantastic news not only for these local school communities but also for local tradies who can tender for these projects,” she said.

“I’m particularly excited to see almost $1 million going towards refurbishing the science block at Pioneer State High School.

“These upgrades will mean so much to the students and staff and I look forward to seeing them delivered.”

A further $31.5 million is being invested across schools in the area for new facilities such as multipurpose performing arts centres, an administration and resource centre, and refurbishments to multiple schools.

Education Minister Grace Grace said the program would be a big job generator.

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert.

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Contractors and tradies who want to be notified of opportunities for any future tender processes for larger projects can register on the Queensland Government QTenders website.

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