Revealed: Mackay private college‘s huge building windfall

The State Government has awarded millions of dollars to one of Mackay’s newest private schools to allow a massive stage two project which follows a near doubling of classroom and specialists facilities in three years.

Bold Architecture renders of Catherine McAuley College Stage 2, along Nebo Rd in Mackay.

The state government has bestowed more than $9 million to Catholic Education to build 14 new classrooms at Mackay’s newest private Catholic school.

Catherine McAuley College along Nebo Rd in West Mackay opened in early 2022 to a Year 7 cohort after the completion of the $12 million Stage 1.

The first stage retrofitted the heritage-listed former Sugar Research Institute building while adding new classrooms to the rear.

Principal Jim Ford has since announced in a school newsletter that the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton had secured “just over nine million dollars” to proceed with “the much needed expansion” of Stage 2.

“State government support for facilities building in Catholic schools is much appreciated given our near doubling of classroom and specialist facilities into our third year of operation,” Mr Ford wrote in the newsletter.

Bold Architecture renders of Catherine McAuley College Stage 2, along Nebo Rd in Mackay.

Bold Architecture renders of Catherine McAuley College Stage 2, along Nebo Rd in Mackay.

“Catholic Education (has taken) loans of approximately $4 million to ensure (Stage 2) project completion.

“Two new blocks will be commissioned (Kappa and Theta) with a total of 14 classrooms, temporary library, and specialist technology facilities.”

Bold Architecture renders show a streamlined design with plenty of natural light to classrooms.

The Diocese has applied to Mackay Regional Council to start about $520,000 of operational works for Stage 2 but must first submit a properly-made application.

It bought the property in 2016 for $5.75m.