200 extra students, eight new classrooms coming to Wishart school

A top southside state primary school will get eight new classrooms in time for the start of the 2024 school year. The upgrade will allow it to take 200 more students as its catchment booms.

Work will start later this year on four new classrooms and other facilities at booming Wishart State School on Brisbane’s southside, allowing it to take in an extra 200 students.

The well-regarded school has grown by about 25 per cent in the past years and presently has an official capacity of 1061 students.

The building work would allow capacity to increase to 1157 students, rising to 1253 children once “in-fill’’ of the ground level was completed.

The Department of Education (DoE) has proposed to build a new two-storey “general learning centre’’ including four classrooms and associated breakout spaces, storerooms and offices, amenities and lifts.

Future in-fill of the ground level would create an extra four classrooms and breakout spaces, covered outdoor area and amenities.

Wishart State School is expanding. Picture: Facebook

That part of the expansion was subject to funding and future enrolment demand, but the area has been booming in recent years and the suburb’s population was expected to keep growing.

There would also be a new covered walkway, a carpark off an existing internal road linking to Morella St, replacement multipurpose court and landscaping.

The public can make submissions on the expansion, which is being sought under a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation, a State Government process which bypasses Council rules and approvals.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said the new facilities would help the school to accommodate significant in-catchment enrolment growth.

“Enrolments at Wishart State School have grown by more than 300 students since 2017, with

further growth forecast over the next five years,’’ she said.

Education Minister Grace Grace. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“Although the project is still in the planning and consultation phase, construction is expected

to begin later this year and be completed in time for the new 2024 school year.’’

Education Minister Grace Grace said her government was committed to providing better services.

“Building new facilities for existing schools is integral to that,’’ Ms Grace said.

“That’s why we have committed nearly $2 billion to education infrastructure in the Budget, supporting 4200 jobs.

“The Palaszczuk Government is building new schools and increasing capacity at existing schools in Queensland’s fastest growing areas.’’

Submissions can be made on or before August 25 at:

https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/mid-consultations, via email at [e-mail], by phoning 1300 967 433, or by mailing PO Box 15009, City East, 4002.