East Brisbane State School parents to hold meeting to discuss impact of The Gabba redevelopment
A public meeting has been called to discuss the future of a heritage-listed Brisbane school, if proposed upgrades to the Gabba go ahead.
Southeast
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A giant $1 billion redevelopment of iconic stadium The Gabba for Brisbane’s 2032 Olympics bid has sparked concerns for the future of one of the city’s most historic schools.
East Brisbane State School’s P&C Development Committee are scheduled to hold a public meeting with the Department of Education on June 3 over plans for the heritage-listed school if the project, which was released by the State Government in April, goes ahead.
The school, which sits next to The Gabba at 56 Wellington Rd, was opened in 1899.
Options for the future of EBSS are believed to include temporary or permanent closure or relocation as well as the possibility of a new campus being built.
A current parent at the school, who is also a member of the P&C Development Committee, said the meeting was for people attending the school to raise their concerns and discuss the possible options if the redevelopment happens.
However she also said the community deserved for the iconic school to remain at its current site.
“It’s an issue not only for the people, parents and students at the school but the community as a whole,” she said.
“There’s not another school in the state like it.
“Also there’s really no other local school in the area and kids from this area deserve the chance to go to school here and make friends and connections in their local area.”
Queensland’s Education Minister Grace Grace said The Gabba redevelopment proposal was in its very early stages and was dependent on support from all levels of government.
“I met with the principal and P&C representative from East Brisbane State School recently and assured them that should the Olympics bid be successful, intensive community consultation will start immediately,” she said.
State Member for South Brisbane Amy McMahon (Greens) said she was appalled the State Government didn’t give the EBSS community a heads up before making the Olympics announcement.
“After years of being told there isn’t enough money to give their school a much needed new building, the government suddenly has a billion dollars to throw into a stadium upgrade right next door,” she said.
“The Olympics is likely to drive up local rent prices and rates, I’m concerned that this will push many low income families from the school out of the area.”
“I’ll be pushing for the state government to properly consult with the East Brisbane State School community, and invest in solutions that prioritise students, teachers and parents.”
Councillor for The Gabba Jonathan Sri (Greens) along with Ms McMahon, have already campaigned for a fix for the capacity issues at EBSS, which has come after a residential development boom in Woolloongabba in recent years.
Cr Sri said a significant expansion would allow the school to deal with issues the redevelopment may bring.
“We think the State Government should acquire warehouse sites on the eastern side of Wellington Rd before the properties rise further in value, and develop plans for a significantly bigger campus,” he said.
“Although direct disruption from the Olympics might only last a few months, a major rebuild of the Gabba would cause years of construction-related disruption, and it’s hard to see how the students would be able to learn effectively in the shadow of such a massive construction site.”
“If you built some new classrooms on the eastern side of Wellington Rd, most of the school could move to that side during the Gabba works, and after the Olympics is over, the school could occupy both sides.”
The meeting on June 3 is at the East Brisbane State School hall at 11am.
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