Elite westside high school to get $30m in new buildings

It is one of Brisbane’s best public schools but has battled overcrowding. That could now all be over.

Jemima Jeffree at Indooroopilly State High School. The school is about to get two major new buildings. Picture: Adam Head

The Indooroopilly State High School community is buzzing as work on its huge new multi-level learning centre nears completion, and as construction starts on a new sports complex.

The projects are worth a combined $30 million and are expected to take the school, already in the top 30 in the state for NAPLAN results, to a new level.

The $18.7 million multistorey learning centre, which is expected to be finished by January, in time for term 1 next year, will include 16 learning spaces, two design studios, two science laboratories and three multimedia learning areas.

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“We are ensuring Indooroopilly State High School has the contemporary education infrastructure it needs to cater for growth and the wide range of exciting and innovative programs it has on offer,’’ acting Education Minister Kate Jones said.

The learning centre is part of the Government’s 2020 Ready Program.

“Indooroopilly State High will also receive a $12.1 million, multipurpose sports complex, part of the Queensland Government’s $235 million Renewing Our Schools program, which is forecast for completion in late 2020,’’ Ms Jones said.

“More than $300,000 has also been provided to the school’s P&C for earthworks at the site of their new tuckshop.’’

Acting Education Minister Kate Jones. Picture: AAP/Glenn Hunt

LODGE A SUBMISSION ON THE UPGRADES

There will also be a new set-down/drop-off area on Carnarvon Rd after a transport review found many students were crossing in the middle of the street and not at marked crossings.

The bus stop on Carnarvon Rd would be moved to accommodate this.

Staff parking would be extended south of Ward St.

But the transport review said that because the two new buildings were not supporting more students, there was no need for extra parking or a revamp of roads, active or public transport.

It noted that the multipurpose hall would generate more after-school hours traffic, but parking and car movements were lower at those times.

a noise report concluded nearby residents would not experience more noise as buildings around the two new projects would shield the sound of live music and sports.

A noise audit was carried out at Turner St between March 29 and April 4 which found background noise levels were already quite high.

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A Department of Education spokeswoman said the Indooroopilly State High 2020 Ready contract was awarded to ADCO Constructions in December, 2018.

The project involved an estimated 56 full-time jobs.

The spokeswoman said that with the graduation of the last of the initial Prep cohort, there would be six full secondary year levels in state high schools from 2020, adding pressure on existing infrastructure which the government was addressing.

State Greens MP for the area, Michael Berkman, said he welcomed the news.

“For years now, Indooroopilly State High has been struggling with overcrowding,’’ he said in a Facebook post recently.

“The P&C, principal and school community have worked really hard for years now, advocating, fundraising and doing all they can to ensure the school gets this vital additional infrastructure, particularly a new multipurpose hall and drop-off zone.’’

Greens MP Michael Berkman. Picture: Tara Croser

He said residents had told him they were concerned about long-term traffic management and vegetation loss.

“We have received a commitment from the Department that a full traffic management plan is to be completed in consultation with Brisbane City Council, and that that plan will be published,’’ he said.

“At ISHS, the majority of kids already walk, cycle or take public transport to school, so we must make sure that the new drop-off zone makes things safer for pedestrians and doesn’t create extra traffic.

He said the Department had committed to replacing every tree lost because of construction.

“Obviously, minimising the number of established trees that need to be removed is the top priority, and something I know many locals might be concerned about,’’ Mr Berkman said.

“I have raised this concern, and I’ve also proposed that the Department consider significantly increasing number of replacements (eg 10 replacements for every 1 lost) as a starting point.’’