Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region schools and TAFEs share in $22.5m cash splash

Queensland’s 2021-22 budget will fund new classrooms for three of the region’s schools plus inject more than $12 million into major TAFE projects. See the full list.

Mackay Northern Beaches State High School students. Picture: File.

The state will spend almost $22.5 million on education facilities across the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac regions.

It represents a 1.55 per cent share in the Queensland government’s total spend on education in the 2021-22 state budget.

The almost $22.5 million from the total $1.45 billion capital projects pool will go towards adding extra classrooms and boosting three major TAFE projects.

Northern Beaches State High School was the region’s largest recipient receiving $4.32 million for extra classrooms with another $1.84 million forecast for future budget handdowns.

The school was also allocated $252,000 to upgrade skills development and training facilities, with a further $636,000 forecast for post 2021-22.

Also receiving $252,000 for facilities’ upgrades each were Bowen State High School ($784,000 post 2021-22), Clermont State High School ($710,000 post 2021-22) and Dysart State High School ($414,000 post 2021-22).

Proserpine State High School principal Don McDermid (centre) with junior student council executive treasurer Olivia Murphy, president Zion Holt, vice-president Reid Ogden and secretary Holly Perrin. The school will soon have extra classrooms with funding allocated in the 2021-22 state budget.

The budget also allocated funds for more classrooms at Proserpine State High School, which got $3.45 million, and at Moranbah East School which received $1.2 million.

A further $4.46 million was forecast for future budget handdowns.

Education Minister Grace Grace’s commitment from May this year to build new classrooms at Cannonvale State School was left unfunded in this budget, papers show.

In the TAFE sector, CQUniversity was the chief recipient for the region, receiving $7.5 million to expand the Mackay Ooralea Trade Training Centre under the Equipping TAFE for our Future funding.

Other regional TAFE projects included the formerly announced $3.15 million for Bowen’s Agriculture Centre of Excellence and $1.85 million for Cannonvale’s Aquaculture Training Centre.

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick speaks during a press conference at Parliament House. Mr Dick delivered his second state budget on Tuesday, June 15. Picture: Dan Peled

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick said the 2021-22 budget accounted for population growth and where the state’s key education priorities were.

“We believe that, regardless of background, wealth, gender, ethnicity or upbringing, all of Queensland’s children deserve a chance to achieve their dreams,” Mr Dick said.

Originally published as Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region schools and TAFEs share in $22.5m cash splash