Residents worried about future of former Oxley Secondary College site urged to speak up

WHY is the State Government letting a prime piece of Brisbane real estate rot away? And will it be turned over to developers? That’s what one MP wants to know - and she wants you to have your say on what it should become.

Vandals have targeted the site.

A COMMUNITY consultation process on what to do with the former Oxley Secondary College site is under way in a bid to put pressure on the State Government to reveal its plans for the eyesore.

Mt Ommaney state LNP MP Tarnya Smith said local residents were concerned the Government may be preparing the land for sale to developers.

“What I’m for is a proper consultation with the community,” Ms Smith said.

Vandals have targeted the site.

“If the Government sells this prime piece of real estate they have misled Queensland and our local community.”

The site was purchased from Education Queensland by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines in 2002 and a department spokesman said options were being considered for future re-use of the site.

When asked what she would like to see for the site, Ms Smith said she would prefer to hear what residents wanted.

“Oxley is a beautiful ­community and we always need to ensure there is an ­appropriate balance of residential development and green space,” she said.

Former student Georgina Poole attended the school between 1996-2000 and said she was disgusted at how it had been “left to rot”.

She said the tight-knit alumnae met regularly and kept in touch via Facebook.

“The community should be able to use it,” she said.

The school was bought by Department of Natural Resources and Mines in 2002.

“I can understand the reasoning behind (selling) because it’s prime land close to Brisbane city, but it’s ­devastating for us.”

A Department of Natural Resources and Mines spokesman said DNRM has gifted surplus furniture and equipment from buildings on the site to the local Men’s Shed organisation and other not-for-profit community groups.

Former Oxley Secondary College.

SCHOOL STATS

■ Oxley State High School opened on January 24, 1966, became Oxley Secondary College on Jan 1, 1994, and closed on December 31, 2000

■ It was closed because Centenary State High School was opened in 2000

■ The site was used by Centenary Dancing Academy and Biosecurity Queensland until 2014

■ The site is currently used by Queensland Police Service

Have your say at tarnyasmith.com/oxleyshssite

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