Development proposal submitted for $15.8m facelift at Darling Point Special School

A special needs school on Brisbane’s bayside is set for its biggest facelift in its 35-year history after an application was submitted for a major redevelopment. SEE THE PLANS

A special needs school on Brisbane’s bayside is set for its biggest revamp in its 35-year history after a development application was submitted for a massive $15.86 million facelift.

The Queensland Government’s redevelopment of Manly’s Darling Point Special School will include delivering a new three-storey learning building and play area.

Darling Point Special School principal Charmaine Driver.

The new learning building will including 14 general learning areas, outdoor learning spaces, a multipurpose room, equipment store rooms, a staff collaborative area, staff and student amenities as well as an undercroft.

Darling Point Special School campus.

While the new play area will feature new play equipment, landscaping and fencing.

Artist impression of the Darling Point Special School's proposed redevelopment.

The project is a major boost for the school, which was originally the Darling Point Opportunity School from 1958 until it was demolished and the Darling Point Special School was opened on the same site at 368 Upper Esplanade in 1986.

Artist impression of the Darling Point Special School's proposed redevelopment.

A Department of Education spokesman said the upgrade was needed to meet enrolment demands.

Artist impression of the Darling Point Special School's proposed redevelopment.

“The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring all students, no matter where they live, have access to high quality learning opportunities within their local communities,” the spokesman said.

Artist impression of the Darling Point Special School's proposed redevelopment.

“The Brisbane region has experienced enrolment growth in the special needs school-aged population. Darling Point Special School now requires additional facilities to continue to meet enrolment demands.”

Artist impression of the Darling Point Special School's proposed redevelopment.

This project, which is expected to be completed in late 2022 and will also add 43 jobs to the local community, is currently in the community consultation process with submissions from residents open until November 4.

The redevelopment also comes after the Queensland Government delivered two new general learning spaces worth more than $300,000 at the school, which were completed in May 2021.

Darling Point Special School’s revamp is also part of almost $25 million worth of projects invested into bayside schools from the Queensland Government.