Elite Brisbane school’s student enrolment policy under pressure

THE inner south’s first high school in 50 years will likely be built on State Government-owned land near the Dutton Park Ecosciences Precinct after being chosen as the preferred site, Labor MP for South Brisbane Jackie Trad says.

A preferred site has been chosen to build a new high school near the Ecosciences Precinct at the Old Boggo Rd Jail site at Dutton Park

• New southside high school edges closer

THE inner south’s first high school in 50 years will likely be built on State Government-owned land near the Dutton Park Ecosciences Precinct after being chosen as the preferred site, Labor MP for South Brisbane Jackie Trad says.

This development, reported ­exclusively in City South News during the state election, came as Councillor Jonathan Sri (The Gabba) said the enrolment criteria at Brisbane State High School (BSHS) might need to be revisited to boost ­places for local children.

Cr Sri said while the Dutton Park school was good news, State Government growth forecasts indicated the 1400 places at the school would not be enough to meet demand.

Ms Trad will write to residents soon about further community consultation. “Parents have reasonable and rational concerns. We committed to discussing with the community (BSHS) catchment issues,’’ she said.

“There’s a whole range of schools on the boundaries of the (BSHS) catchment.

“We will look at a sibling policy and we’re having a conversation around grandfathering new enrolment policies.’’

South Brisbane MP Jackie Trad at the Dutton Park school site. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

She scotched suggestions changing the school’s enrolment criteria would harm property prices in an area where parents were prepared to pay a premium to be in the BSHS catchment.

BSHS did not comment.

Ms Trad also confirmed a principal at the new school would be chosen in the second half of 2019 and construction would be completed in 2021.

“We will have a long and genuine community engagement process around the site selection and the planning for the school. I know it’s vital that local families are heard and listened to, every step of the way,’’ she said.

“Over the coming weeks the community will have an opportunity to share feedback about the preferred precinct, design considerations and the education focus of the new school.’’

Cr Sri doubted the school would be enough to address growth in the 4101 postcode.

“It will cater for about 1400 students but if you look at the government’s growth projections we might need 1000 to 2000 extra places.

“We should be looking at industrial sites on the West End peninsula and we also need a mature conversation about (BSHS’) catchment.

“It has a target of 50 per cent of kids being selected on cultural, educational or sporting merit. Given the extreme overcrowding in the inner south, I think we might need to cut back the merit quota in the future.’’

West End Community Association’s Erin Evans said it surveyed residents about the school.

The top priorities of the 160 locals — many parents of schoolchildren — who responded was proximity to where they lived and recreational space.

“That is what this site does not deliver,’’ she said.