Annastacia Palaszczuk intervenes in resumption of Coorparoo home for new school

A 93-year-old Brisbane man who faced having to leave his home of 60 years before Christmas to make way for a relocated East Brisbane State School will now be spared eviction.

An elderly Brisbane resident who faced having his home resumed for a school relocation has been saved from being evicted, it can be confirmed.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is understood to have intervened to save Coorparoo resident Trevor Connolly from being forced to vacate his home by Christmas.

Mr Connolly was sent a resumption notice from the government earlier this month seeking to acquire his family home.

Trevor Connolly at his Coorparoo home. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

The Courier-Mail exclusively revealed that the state government planned for it to be turned into new entrance of the relocated East Brisbane State School.

The notice followed months of “back and forth” negotiations between himself and the state government with the parties at odds over value of his property.

Mr Connolly lives next to Coorparoo Secondary College which is set to absorb the East Brisbane State School into its campus.

A spokesman for the premier confirmed Mr Connolly would not be evicted from his home of 60-years.

East Brisbane State School which sits in the shadow of the Gabba. Picture: David Clark

It’s understood the premier intervened and that negotiations between the state government and his family will continue.

Mr Connolly’s daughter Anne said it was “so wonderful” but wanted assurances in writing.

His family are expected to meet with state government delegates potentially as soon as today.

Further details about new plans for his home and the Coorparoo Secondary College are expected to be announced later today by the Education Department.

Mr Connolly said he felt like the weight of the world was off his shoulders having endured months of undue stress.

“It was an awful thing to happen, just to be told to get out. To be told to pack your bags and go,” Mr Connolly said.

“I’ve been here 60 years and seen some radical changes. To have to lose the house would have been beyond me. To wonder what you’re going to do, where you’re going to go, to live.”

Mr Connolly said without his daughter’s will to fight for him, and the power of the media, he would have been faced with an impossible battle.

“Everything has turned out in our favour at last, but I wouldn’t want to go through with that again,” he said.

“Hopefully it’s all over now and I have got a few more years left here.”

The Connolly family plan to have Christmas Day festivities at the Coorparoo home.