Both major parties promise $3 million for new hall at Mango Hill State School

Mango Hill State School has found itself the beneficiary of the federal election, with both major parties promising to fund construction of a new school hall.

Mango Hill State School acting principal Gabrielle Douglas with Year 6 captains and Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek. Picture: David Alexander

MANGO Hill State School has found itself the beneficiary of the federal election, with both major parties promising to fund construction of a new school hall.

Labor announced on Tuesday it will invest $3 million towards a new hall at the school should it win the May 18 election.

SUBSCRIBE TO NORTH LAKES TIMES & THE COURIER MAIL: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR FIRST 12 WEEKS

The LNP, a day later, matched the promise.

This means regardless of which party wins the election on May 18, the school will get a new multipurpose hall.

Deputy Labor Leader Tanya Plibersek was in Mango Hill on Tuesday to announce Labor’s commitment alongside candidate for Petrie Corinne Mulholland.

Ms Mulholland said student numbers at the school have skyrocketed in recent years.

“Mango Hill State School is a fabulous primary school but we know the school community has been crying out for a bigger school hall,” she said.

Mango Hill State School.

“The school community started a petition last year and almost 500 parents have signed. I am pleased to be working with the local community to help deliver this.”

When the school opened in 2012, the current hall was only constructed with seating capacity for about 300 students, allowing limited space for teachers, parents and guests, or 400-450 when students only.

The hall reached capacity within the first two years of operation and never kept up with the school’s growing enrolment numbers.

At the start of this year, there were more than 1200 students at the school and it is expected to have 1600 by 2023.

“For a number of years, students, staff and families have all felt the negative effects of being forced to use a space completely unfit for purpose,” the change.org petition stated.

The funds would be used to build a new multipurpose hall for sport, performing arts, assemblies, whole school activities and community events.

“The new school hall will not only improve the learning environment, it will also be used for a wide range of sporting and cultural events, as well as school assemblies,” Ms Mulholland said.

Luke Howarth during Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

LNP Member for Petrie Luke Howarth meanwhile has criticised the state Labor government, saying it has “let down the school.”

“Since coming into Government five years ago, Mango Hill has doubled in size,” he said.

“To meet the community’s growing demands, the State Labor Government has increased student placements but failed to deliver additional facilities for local children.

“It’s disappointing that the State Labor Government has let down Mango Hill State School by not providing the facilities our growing community needs.”

Mr Howarth said the federal government had increased funding by 43 per cent since 2013, from $2.8 billion to $4.1 billion in 2018.

Meanwhile, construction of the new Mango Hill State High School began in earnest this week.

The school is expected to accommodate up to 2000 students once completed.