Cash injection for new $65m westside primary school

The first new westside primary school to be built in decades has inched closer after crucial money was set aside in the Budget.

The State Government has set aside nearly $65 million to build a new primary school in the inner-west seat of Maiwar, making good on its election promise.

While only $346,000 was set aside in Tuesday’s Budget for this financial year, the Budget papers revealed a total commitment of $64,809,000.

The school will open in 2023.

Education Minister Grace Grace promised a new school in the lead-up to the October 31 election, flagging that it might be built in Chapel Hill or Indooroopilly.

Taringa State School was closed and the land sold for development in 1996, but since then there has been an explosion in unit projects — massively increasing the population.

Most schools in the area have grown rapidly in recent years and Ironside State School in Indooroopilly is now so crowded students have to take lunch breaks in shifts.

“I’m really pleased to see more than $20 million for local schools in this year’s State Budget, including preliminary work on a new school for the west side which local residents and I campaigned really hard to win,’’ Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman said.

Michael Berkman. Picture: Annette Dew

“From the allocation of funding it looks like work on the new school won’t start until late next year at the earliest.

“The next step for me is ensuring residents’ views are incorporated into decisions such as the site and design.

“I’m also seeking confirmation that Labor’s campaign commitment of $1.5 million to increase capacity at Indooroopilly State School and Ironside State School’s Outside School Hours Care is included in this budget.

“OSHC capacity is a huge issue for the west side, with too many families missing out, so I’ll continue working with the Education Minister to ensure that funding is delivered as soon as possible.”

A Department of Education spokesman said the new school would “meet the service need for the inner west primary school network’’.

“It will increase the enrolment capacity of the area by more than 600 students in the long-term,’’ he said.

“As with all new schools, the new primary school for the inner west will be delivered in stages to meet local enrolment demand.

“The Queensland Government has committed to consulting the local community on the preferred site.

“The new inner west primary school is forecast to open for students in Term 1, 2023.’’

OTHER EDUCATION COMMITMENTS IN THE BUDGET IN/NEAR MAIWAR

- $4m this financial year for extra facilities (school hall) at Indooroopilly State High School, out of a total $10m commitment.

- $1.2m in 2020-21 at Milton State School for extra classroom facilities and another $8.2m for new classrooms and flood mitigation.

- $6m in 2020-21 out of a previously announced $7m for new classrooms at Toowong State School, plus $1.7m for “supporting infrastructure’’ at its oval opposite Sylvan Rd.

- $156k for St Joseph’s Primary School in Bardon for a new playground and tennis court resurfacing, in 2020-21